As anyone with internet access knows, Pokémon Go has taken over the world. This game has quickly taken over the lives of people of all ages. Although the game is enormous right now, some still don’t understand why people are playing. These people don’t understand the hype of the game and why people are constantly staring at their phones. All they see is people being distracted by their cell phones, they don’t see the benefits. So here is why I love Pokémon Go and you should too.
Nostalgia.
I grew up watching Pokémon on the TV every Saturday morning with my brother. This is the one show that we both agreed to watch together while we ate breakfast. My brother collected the Pokémon cards and would battle his friends for hours after school while I would watch. When I was old enough, my mom finally let me play Pokémon on my Gameboy. So the point is, I grew up with Pokémon. I dreamed as a child that one day I would be able to catch wild Pokémon and train them. Now that this has become a reality, the feeling of nostalgia is overwhelming. When I play Pokémon Go it reminds me of so many good childhood memories and because of the game, I get to share my childhood with my friends now. Nostalgia is also the reason so many different age groups are playing, people in their twenties grew up with Pokémon, and middle aged people remember watching it with their kids. All around this app makes you remember a simpler time and lets you live out a childhood dream.
Meeting people.
Because so many people are playing Pokémon Go, it’s hard not to run into other players. The way that the app is set up, you have to get out and explore and hit poke stops to receive more items. Since the day the app was released, I have been going to the poke stops on UGA’s campus. Within that time, I have met so many new people and bonded over something we love. This app helps to start conversation between strangers and it is an easy new way to make friends. I can be walking down the street and yell Team Mystic! And I’ll have at least 15 people respond. I have watched people bond over their teams, and help each other out in a new way. Strangers now will ban together to help each other find Pokémon. Players will sit around and trade tips on how to play. People may think that this is making people less social but honestly, it’s helping people socialize.
Going outdoors/exercise.
Since the app was released, I have walked 10 miles in three days that I would have never walked. The app makes you walk because the Pokémon don’t just come to you. Also, different types of Pokémon are in different areas so you can’t just stay in one place. Along with finding Pokémon, to get Pokémon and other items you have to go to poke stops, which are located in certain areas or buildings. To be able to collect the items, you have to walk within range on the poke stop. Now, some are saying that you are able to cheat by riding around in a car, but the app does not recognize movement unless you are at a walking speed. This app is the perfect way to just get outside. I walked around for three hours and didn’t even notice because I was having so much fun catching Pokémon.
Because this app has so many benefits, I can see it sticking around for a while. I know I’ll be playing it!
