Naturally, when I first heard the news of Pokémon Go's release I instantly downloaded the app to see what all the brouhaha was about. Having been a fan of the Pokémon series when I was younger, I already knew the logistics of the franchise. Essentially, the series focuses on the gamer traveling a pixelated world looking for fictional creatures, known as Pokémon, to catch, train and battle with. The newly-released app follows a similar format. Through the magic of GPS, The Pokémon Company and Niantic have teamed up to produce a game, using something known as "augmented reality," to make it seem as if Pokémon are here in the real world. The app syncs with your GPS and wild Pokémon appear as you travel places. It is up to you to capture, train and evolve these Pokémon in order to gain experience and become stronger by leveling up.
Immersing a fictional series into the real world is something very commendable and unique. The game is something new and refreshing to the digital era, and it has easily consumed my life, as well as many others! Subsequent to downloading the app, I didn't realize that I would actually use it. I thought that I would merely look through it and end up deleting it (something I tend to do with "fad" apps like "Flappy Bird"). However, after a day or so this app went viral. Suddenly, everywhere I went people were playing and looking for Pokémon. I've seen children ranging ages 5-6 to even some adults searching local streets and parks for these fictitious characters.
I remember thinking to myself, "oh this fad will be over in a day or two." Wrong. The game's popularity continued to grow and suddenly I found myself going out at night with my friends with the sole intentions of catching Pokémon. In addition, my normal daily functions started to adapt to this game. For instance, my commute to work. I have two jobs, and one of them is a good 20-minute drive, so I keep the game open in order for my eggs to hatch (if you travel a certain distance, an egg will hatch into a randomized Pokémon). If a Pokémon that I don't already have approaches me, I make sure to pull over and catch it (please don't play while you're actually driving!) At my other job, I sit at a desk so I am constantly on the app looking for nearby creatures to catch. I never thought that I would be so happy to explore different places that I've been to numerous times prior. Everywhere I go the thought of finding something new in the game excites my brain.
Ultimately, to me, this app is a simple way of diverting myself from all of life's misgivings. It brings something new to the table; it opposes the typical. It actually gets me on my feet and keeps me active (what other video game will encourage being adventurous?) And it gives purpose to my aimless driving sessions in the boring town to which I reside.
If nonconformity is telling you not to download this game and give it a go (no pun intended), then I'm not stopping you. Though, coming from a person that usually deletes "fad" apps the next day, I can assure you that Pokémon Go is an app worth trying out. It's a way to fight off any lingering boredom you may have during these remaining summer months. With this app, every place is a new place to explore, even if you've been there a countless number of times in the past. If you're like me and you live in a lackluster town, usually stuck inside with nothing to do, Pokémon Go is a quick fix that's for sure to relieve any feelings of restlessness!
