By now, almost everyone who pays even the slightest bit of attention to social media or the news has heard of this new game called Pokémon Go. As a part of the generation that grew up on the popular trading card game (as well as the handheld games and TV shows), this game is huge for me and others who loved the series as a kid. However, the game has not been without consequences. Because of Pokémon Go, people have been robbed, others have walked out in front of cars, and so on. As a result, the game has taken some bad press. But what are some good things about Pokémon Go that some might have looked over?
The first and most obvious benefit of the game is that it provides great enjoyment to hundreds of thousands of people. I have seen kids as young as 6 years old walking around with their parents phone, searching for different Pokémon. I have also seen grown adults in their forties walking around, searching. The game appeals to both of these generations due to how long the series has been around: the very first Pokémon game was released in 1996, and has people seem to have never outgrown it.
The second benefit of Pokémon Go is that it gets all of its players outside and walking around. The object of the game is to find all kinds of Pokémon in all different places. To be successful in the game, you have to move! People are, therefore, forced to get up off of the couch and at least go for a walk down the street in their search to become the next Pokémon master. Accordingly, people can go outside and get some exercise, while also enjoying the game and exploring the possibility of discovering a place that they have never been before.
Going along with my last point, by playing this game, people have come to bond and make new friends. There have been tons of stories of people forming unlikely friendships due to the game. At PokéStops, places where people can pick up PokéBalls and other supplies, as well as "gyms," people of all ages have stopped to discuss their love for the game as well as give advice and tips to other players. There have additionally been meet-ups for the hundreds of players organized on social media as well as bar crawls and adoption events at shelters. Companies have also taken advantage of lures (a way to attract Pokémon and players to your location) in order to get customers into their stores and have begun to offer special sales and promotional items to players who can catch a Pokémon in their store. Some places even give a Pokémon Go discount, just for having the game!
All in all, I wonder how long it will take for this whole craze to pass over. It may take a few weeks, or it could take a few years. But one thing is for certain with all of this: people's love for Pokémon will never die.
