The recent release of "Pokemon Go" has taken the world by storm. This relatively simple game is trending to be the most successful mobile app of all time, with more daily users than nearly every app ever released. People everywhere are playing it and hordes of users can be found at any given busy street corner, looking for Pokemon. For many, the game is a lifestyle, and a fun way to combine real life with fantasy: a refreshing blend of a classic, historic franchise with the technology of today.
As a person who has played nearly every "Pokemon" game released for Nintendo handheld devices since 2001, this app is amazing. As fun as it is to play on a small screen, actually being able to physically explore and encounter Pokemon is something many fans thought they would never experience. I can remember summers of sitting inside because I couldn’t play the game outside and enjoy the warm weather even if I wanted to - the screen of my Nintendo wasn’t bright enough to be seen in the sun. Now, with an iPhone that has higher brightness levels than a handheld device from the 2000’s as well as a game that encourages going outside, enjoying the beautiful weather while becoming a "Pokemon" master is easier than ever.
However, as with any cultural phenomenon or fad, there are naysayers. Many people are upset at the popularity of this app and how frequently people are using it, specifically while driving or walking. Some are annoyed that the app has increased foot traffic and led to users not paying attention to their surroundings while walking or driving, leading to clogged walkways and potential car accidents. Others are annoyed that so many people are obsessed with the app or believe the game is overrated. While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, here’s some reasons why the game really isn’t that bad:
You Have to Go Outside
In a generation where every child is glued to their smart phone and texting is the only form of non-verbal communication they’ve ever known, this app encourages going outside and seeing the world. For example, areas with the most amounts of Pokemon, Pokestops and gyms are parks or downtown. Not only does this increase foot traffic for the area, which is good for businesses, but it also allows users to appreciate nature. As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy nature, I discovered a beautiful wooded walking path not far from my house that I never would have come across otherwise. In this day and age, where everything is digital and it's more convenient to stay inside all day on your phone, tablet, computer, etc., this game is a breath of fresh air (literally).
You Have to Be Active
Furthermore, for people who don’t usually go outside or are inactive, this game is a great way to start doing so. It’s necessary to walk a fair amount in order to successfully play the game. For example, a big part of the game is receiving and hatching eggs. In order to hatch these eggs, you need to walk a certain amount of steps, ranging from 2 to 10 km. Furthermore, some Pokémon are only found in certain areas. In order to obtain water pokémon, you must be walking near a lake. There also can be different Pokémon in one part of a park versus another part, so you're encouraged to walk around every possible area in the vicinity. Nearly every other gaming app is easier or necessary to play while sedentary – "Pokémon Go" is the fun exception.
You Can Be Social
The app also encourages team work and meeting up with other users. Each user picks one team from an option of three and is given incentives to work with other users on his team. Teams can hold ownership over gyms (places where users can pokemon battle) but it can be hard to take a gym from another team if you’re on your own. It is much easier to have multiple people from the same team work together to take over a gym. However, this requires meeting with other people from the same team as yours in the same location. This is a great way to not only meet new people but also to hang out with friends as you try to achieve a common goal.
Will some people not pay attention to their surroundings and put themselves in danger? Definitely. But consider that with any other popular thing to do on a phone like texting or Snapchat and you’ll get the exact same answer. At the very least, appreciate what the app is accomplishing: uniting people in a fun, active way.
