"There's a Blastoise next to the mailbox!" The Nintendo game Pokémon Go has swept the nation and the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Australia. Strangely, the app is not available in either Apple or Android app stores in any Asian counties, even Japan—Pokémon's 'home country.' However, reports say that those who live in Indonesia can download the app from different sources online or change their phone settings to say they're in America. Many people around the world are anxiously anticipating the release of Pokémon Go in their country, while those who already have it have entered into a craze.
So, the question is, is Pokémon Go a good thing or a bad thing? The controversy has been present ever since the release of the app. "It's so dumb," some people say. Others claim that it's revolutionary. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of the new and sensational app and see how it stacks up.
Pro: The videogamers are coming out of hibernation
Pokémon Go has literally forced gamer nerds to come out of the dark spaces that they inhabit. Without actually going places, you cannot catch as many Pokémon as others who go out and about. Not to mention, you can't get pokéballs, or train in the gyms without joining society. A whole population is forced to get up and out of their houses and interact with the outside world—something that they are not normally doing. Jokes are even going around that Pokémon Go has been more effective with getting people to be active and exercise (you have to walk to get your Pokémon to hatch) than Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign has in the past eight years.
Con: Disrespect at memorials
Pokémon Go hit the news several days ago due to gamers catching Pokémon at the 9/11 Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the United States Holocaust Memorial, among others. Pokémon Go's algorithms are mainly unknown, but many believe geography and climate play a role in where the Pokémon are placed. This doesn't mean that it is okay to catch Pokémon at these memorials, however. These memorials are sacred and somber and not the places to be playing this game.
Pro: Building community
It's usually pretty obvious to tell if someone is Pokémon Go-ing. If you're in a public area, say downtown or in a park, you're likely to see or hear people asking others if they're hunting Pokémon. This app is not only getting people out and into the community, it is building community simultaneously. Gamers are interacting with each other, sharing stats, stories, and of course, Pokémon. Pokémon Go is bringing members of the community together - those who are hoping to 'catch em all.'
Con: Unawareness of surroundings
Though Pokémon Go may be bringing people together in the community, gamers are so set on 'catching them all' that they are trespassing on private property and walking through lawns. This is making some who do not 'catch them all' irritated and sometimes even upset. Some advice to gamers: just be aware of your surroundings.
Furthermore, gamers are playing while they're driving, creating a multitude of car wrecks since the app was released. It's not just texting anymore, gamers have to be constantly on their phone checking to see if there are Pokémon, pokéstops or gyms nearby.
The inattentiveness doesn't stop there. Two men fell off a cliff playing Pokémon Go in California, and others have fallen into ponds, down hills, and have ran into things. The focus on the game and the instinct to 'catch them all' has caused an alarming number of easily avoided injuries.
Pro: Local businesses benefit
Businesses have been benefiting from all of the street traffic that Pokémon Go encourages. Might as well pick up a sandwich or a coffee while you wait around to catch that Lapras or refuel after you train at the gym. Rumors have it that businesses will be able to invest monetarily in Pokémon Go so that they can have a gym or pokéstop to curate even more foot traffic. This will most likely become more and more common, if the game continues to be popular.
Con: Robbery
Pokémon Go has facilitated an easy way for robberies to take place. The attacker can set a lure for Pokémon. The gamers who simply want to 'catch them all' go to the lure to catch the Pokémon, but find themselves in a sticky situation. The lure feature was reportedly intended for businesses to bring in customers, however, the feature is being fatally misused.
Whatever your stance on the new app Pokémon Go, there is no doubt that it has captivated the country's attention and is on the way to capturing the world's.
