What’s the Deal with Pokémon GO?
By Tracey Dowdy
“I think the yellow one is called Pikachu.” That sums up my full knowledge of the Pokémon phenomenon. The game has been around since 1996, but my kids weren’t interested when they were younger so I never paid much attention.
Now however, my adult daughter, like a lot of the adults I know, are on a mission to “catch ‘em all.” Pokémon GO seems to have tapped into the nostalgia of the game for many adults, and introduced it to a new generation of fans. Remember, it’s been around for over 20 years so it never really went away, but with the mobile game, it’s surged back to the forefront.
So what is Pokémon GO anyway? It’s a “free ‘augmented reality’ game for iOS and Android smart devices in which players must physically move around the real world in order to capture Pokémon (short for pocket monsters), which are fantastical creatures from the ever-popular video game/collectible card game/anime franchise of the same name.” (The Wrap) In other words, it’s an online/offline scavenger hunt version of the original game.
Download the game, create an account, then open the game and you’ll see an avatar the game has generated for you pinpointed to your exact GPS location. Every time you’re in the vicinity of a Pokémon, your phone will vibrate and a Pokémon will appear on a map. Touch it and your phone will then switch to Camera Mode and you’ll see the Pokémon on your screen, superimposed over the image.
Of course to catch the creature, you’ll need to have Pokeballs, which you collect at Pokestops, generally attached to landmarks like parks, statues and churches. Oddly, many churches are listed as “gyms”, where you can have Pokémon fight one another. That’s fine unless you’re Boon Sheridan, and your house in actually an old church. Sheridan’s home has been tagged as a Pokéstop, so from early morning until late night, there are strangers in front of his house, in his yard, sometimes sitting in their cars blocking the driveway, all training and learning how to fight Pokémon.
That’s not the only time the game has made the news. Last week a woman in Wyoming found a body in a river near her house while hunting a Pokémon, and according to police in Missouri, armed teens used the game to rob players. Using the geolocation element of the game, the teens were able to determine the location and how isolated potential victims would be.
Nintendo and the other creators of Pokémon partnered with Niantic Labs to create the game that seems to have moved augmented reality from a gaming industry niche to the mainstream. Until last fall, Niantic Labs was a subsidiary of Google and its founder John Hanke was instrumental in developing Google Maps and Google Earth. Google stayed tied to the project when Niantic and Hanke moved on and reportedly invested $30 million in the development of Pokémon GO.
There’s a million reasons to get outside and enjoy the long days of summer before we jump back into school routines, and Pokémon GO is one of the more fun options for our tech loving kids. It’s cheaper than a Fitbit and backs up what First Lady Michelle Obama has been telling our kids all along: Getting up and moving doesn’t have to be boring. Catching monsters in your neighborhood has never been this much fun. So what are you waiting for? You know you “Gotta catch ‘em all!”
Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was super long)
so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any tips and hints for novice blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
Incredible points. Sound arguments. Keep up the great spirit.
I pay a quick visit everyday a few web pages and information sites to read posts,
but this web site gives feature based articles.
This post presents clear idea for the new visitors of blogging,
that actually how to do blogging.
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your
blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped
me. Kudos!
I really like it when people come together and share thoughts.
Great website, keep it up!
I believe that is among the so much vital
information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few basic
things, The website taste is wonderful, the articles is
really great : D. Excellent task, cheers
Amazing issues here. I am very satisfied to look your article.
Thank you a lot and I’m having a look ahead to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?
That is very interesting, You’re a very professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of more of your wonderful post.
Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this
website; this web site includes awesome and really fine information designed for visitors.
Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a material!
existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this site.
Hello my family member! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital infos.
I’d like to see more posts like this .
Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy
to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to
be happy. I have learn this publish and if I may I wish to counsel you some fascinating
issues or advice. Maybe you can write subsequent articles regarding this article.
I want to read even more issues about it!
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is an extremely neatly written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your helpful info.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
My relatives always say that I am wasting my time here at
net, but I know I am getting knowledge every day by reading
such pleasant articles or reviews.
You are so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read through
anything like this before. So good to discover another person with genuine thoughts on this
issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the internet,
someone with a bit of originality!
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading
extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or
is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!!
I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book
marked to look at new stuff you post…
Because the admin of this website is working, no
doubt very shortly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the
rest of the website is really good.
It’s going to be ending of mine day, however before finish
I am reading this great post to increase my knowledge.
I like the helpful information you provide to your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here
frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff proper here!
Best of luck for the following!
Generally I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say
that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it!
Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice post.
Thanks in favor of sharing such a nice thinking,
article is good, thats why i have read it completely
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb
usability and appearance. I must say you’ve done a superb job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for
me on Firefox. Excellent Blog!
Your way of explaining all in this post is really good,
every one be able to easily understand it, Thanks a lot.
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over
the web without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help reduce
content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information! existing here at this blog,
thanks admin of this site.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems
locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog
you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to
seeing it grow over time.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate
you writing this article and the rest of the site is extremely good.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this
website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
thanks
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your site,
how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me
a appropriate deal. I have been tiny bit familiar of this your
broadcast offered bright clear idea
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Well written!
Good post. I’m going through some of these issues as
well..
It’s awesome for me to have a web site, which is valuable designed
for my experience. thanks admin
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
Also visit my site – deposit poker via pulsa
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission.
You could certainly see your skills within the work you
write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how
they believe. At all times go after your heart.
Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to
browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded
on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, great site!
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different page and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to
going over your web page yet again.
Excellent post. I absolutely appreciate this site. Keep writing!
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, later than having my
breakfast coming yet again to read more news.
Pornosu yakalandı içinde karanlık Porno. Aşırı Sakat porno başka hiçbir yerde bulamayacağınız
videolar. Evet, en acımasız ve en acımasız olanı bulmak için internetin karanlık taraflarını.
Howdy fantastic website! Does running a blog similar to this require a massive amount work?
I have absolutely no knowledge of coding but I was hoping to start my own blog
soon. Anyway, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic but I simply needed to ask.
Thanks!
Here is my web blog; empty eyelash boxes wholesale