On July 6th, 2016, the world as we knew it ceased to exist and the world of Pokémon became a reality.
Quick recap in case you've been living under a rock (or in Canada): Niantic's new international hit Pokémon Go, took the world and App Store by storm, soaring to the #1 spot in a mere 12 hours. Based on the original game and popular anime, the game allows users to immerse themselves in the Pokémon universe while interacting with the real world. The app makes use of Google Maps and the smartphones' GPS and step counter capabilities, requiring users to go outside to catch Pokémon, using their phone as a Pokédex, the same device the shows characters use. Other features include eggs that will hatch only when the player has walked a certain distance, between 2 and 10 kilometers, and Pokéstops and gyms that are stationed at real world landmarks, such as churches, art museums and parks, where players can meet up battle against each other via the app as well as train the Pokémon they have collected.
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TLDR: The nerds have risen out of their caves and they've gotta catch 'em all.
Many adults that thought this phase of their child's life was over (ahem, MOM), have expressed disdain at seeing teenagers walking outside with their noses to the ground and phone screen, making themselves easy targets. These worries, although irritating to some players (ahem, ME), they are rooted on real worry. Some fanatics have caused unfortunate accidents by using the app while driving. Robbers have even made use of the game's "lure" feature, an item that when used attracts Pokémon to a Pokéstop, leading unsuspecting players into a real trap. Despite these incidents, there is a positive side that naysayers neglect to see.
For many, the game is a part of the nostalgia movement we've recently seen in pop culture, in the same vein of classic movie remakes, like Ghostbusters, and the return of iconic television shows, such as The X-Files. Andie Fuentes, 18, became a fan of Pokémon in elementary school after seeing kids play during lunch. For her, the game is a dream come true. "I love how Pokémon Go is bringing people together and encouraging walking and exercise. I’ve met so many kind people who have been such a joy to talk to about our childhood love for the game.” Others have seen improvements in their mental health, finding the game a calming experience and a motivation to go move around.
To discredit Pokémon Go as a silly game for overgrown dorks is a great injustice to the tremendous amount of work it took to create it. Twenty years ago, when the original video game was released, an augmented reality game was unimaginable. A device that was a GPS, computer, and camera rolled into one that could fit inside your pocket had yet to be invented. Decades of technological revolution have accumulated into an app that has completely changed the future of gaming, one that doesn't involve sitting in front of the television for hours at a time, but rather real world interaction for realistic gameplay, creating your own story as you chase down rare Pokémon and battle fellow trainers. Every player is on their individual journey to become the very best like no one ever was. Nerds built this era, and they are going to enjoy it.
In elementary school, I looked forward to weekends because it meant I got to see my cousins and spend the day swimming at the neighborhood pool, eating ice cream, and watching Pokémon. I can remember cheering on Team Rocket just because it was funny to watch them blast off into the sky when they lost, and trading cards with one another, trying to swindle the others out of our favorite Pokémon. Pokémon holds memories of a simpler time, when my biggest stressor was trying to guess who that Pokémon was before the end of the commercial break. Now I’m college bound, spending my last real summer vacation with my family and friends playing Pokémon Go, exploring the city I grew up in through the lens of my favorite childhood show. The game has given me something to do with my friends in the sluggish days of midsummer and returned to me a childlike passion and energy that I thought I had lost. Pokémon Go reminded me that even though I'm an adult, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy my youth while I still have it. I think Brock said it best: "No matter how much one changes, one's heart will always stay the same."
