Just a quick search and a tap on the "Install" button, and there it was, Pokemon Go. The new game that has everyone who has ever seen, played or bought anything Pokemon to become insane for the new app! Only being a week and a couple of days out on the market, Pokemon Go has held the top downloads and been the most played game since.
If you haven't already heard of the game unlike the many users all over the world that have, it's an app that allows its users to catch Pokemon in real life. It's also very simple. When you first start the game, you go through a small sign-up through Google. However, with Pokemon games, there is another sign up for the Pokemon Trainer's Club, aka the PTC, which was first used in the handheld gaming devices created by Nintendo for Pokemon games that allowed trading among the different players. After the sign-up/sign-in, the users are prompted to create your character. Unlike the Pokemon games before, you literally get t create your character. A gender, hair, and clothing choice later, you finally get to set a name for your character, then you're off to indulge in the wonderful world of Pokemon, literally this time!
From that moment on, users get to choose their first Pokemon, aka a starter. On the consoles, it's always a battle that gives the user his or her first Pokemon. In Pokemon Go, the user receives his or her starter just by walking down the street, or even across their living room (that's how I received my Charmander!)
Another feature of the game is its map. Powered by Google Maps, Pokemon Go features a map of any location that you are where wild Pokemon can pop up for you to try and catch. It also allows you to find gyms that are set up as real places on the map, such as the bell tower at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR. The same thing goes for Pokestops, aka places where users can go to get randomized items such as more Pokeballs (capturing devices) or potions (healing agents), in order to catch more Pokemon and level up the user's character.
By leveling up the characters of the game, it opens users to more opportunities such as more Pokeballs, Pokemon and even being able to be a part of a team. When a user reaches level five, they are able to challenge gyms with a team of their choice of either team Valor, Mystic or Instinct.
Team Valor, aka the red team, is said to be driven by the idea that power is the most important element of the Pokemon world; Valor members are driven by passion and strength above all else, as opposed to the tranquility of Mystic and the faith of Instinct. The team's bird is Moltress, a creature with the the ability to control fire.
Team Mystic, aka the blue team, is guided by calmness, wisdom and intellect. The team’s bird is Articuno, the creature with the ability to control the cold, which is appropriate for a group defined by maintaining a cool head rather than giving into emotion.
Team Instinct, aka the yellow team, is the idea of closing your eyes and trusting in the Pokémon themselves appeals to you, or perhaps if you’re generally the kind of person to have faith and trust that things will work out. The teams bird is Zapdos, the creature with the ability to control thunder and electricity.
This app has so much to offer. The world seems to be pleased. I asked some of the Arkansas users what they thought of the game, and here are some of the responses:
Gillian Whitney, age 41, of Shannon Hills, AR, says, "I like that it has no age limits. Everyone is enjoying the game. It's a family friendly game that I also play with my husband. It also encourages people to get off the couch and go outside!" Heather Anderson of Cabot, AR, agrees that its a family friendly game, for she enjoys it with her sister. She says, "It's nice to see people of all ages out and about and socializing with each other." David Michael Cole, Hot Springs, also agrees.
Brett Alexander says, " The game has done more to bring people together than any other large-scale event I've seen in the past decade, despite the lack of actual content and player interaction currently available in the game."
Ryan Giglio of Little Rock, AR, says, "I think it's incredible what this game is dong for people's mental health. So many people with high anxiety and depression are getting out there and interacting in ways they never thought they could." Chris Gulledge, also from Little Rock, agrees with Ryan, for he says, "It encourages me to get outside my comfort zone in order to collect Pokemon."
All of this good, also has some things that users don't particularly like about the app. Brad Wirges of Cabot, AR, says, "The game relies so much on Ingress data from Niantic (contributing company) and wireless traffic, that players in urban areas have a marked advantage over those in rural areas." Guadalupe Garcia, Little Rock, AR, says,"I would like more battles and less crashes!"
As you can see, just for Arkansas, Pokemon Go has created a whole new world of fun. For me, I've met more people in one week than I have on my first semester of college and immediately bonded. I look forward to what the creators do next. I hear in December, we should expect more updates. Until then, only time will tell!
