Angelica Haggert
The newest technology mixed with a cartoon series from the
‘90s has exploded into the parks, pathways and streets of YQG and everywhere else in the world.
Can you catch ‘em all?
PokemonGO is the newest sensation, using phone applications,
augmented reality, and childhood nostalgia to quickly catch hold
of children, teens and even adults.
The location-based game is free to play, and based on the
franchise created in 1995 by Satoshi Tajiri. Using GPS location and
your phone’s camera, players capture, battle and train Pokemon,
with the objective to catch all 151 available.
As an augmented reality game, the app uses a live view of the
real world and augments it with a computer generated graphic - in
this case, a Pokemon. Having been downloaded more than 75
million times across Android and iOS devices, the game became
an overnight sensation despite its slow delayed release outside the
U.S..
Although PokemonGO’s been plagued with much-complained
about server issues, a drive through Windsor will show you more
people outside than you’ve ever seen before. The game contains a
movement element, requiring players to walk a certain number of
kilometres to hatch eggs, level up and of course find more Pokemon.
This means people who might not partake in a lot of physical activity
are up and moving around.
Daniela Perissinotti, from Windsor, has reached level 21 on her
game.
“It highlights my favourite part about the game I originally
played as a kid, which is catching and collecting,” she says. The
franchise oringinated as a Gameboy game, and expanded to other
systems and a television series.
“So far, it's gotten a lot of people outdoors and socializing, which
is great! It's also nice to see local businesses getting involved.”
Many small businesses have jumped on the PokemonGO parade,
advertising their stores as a PokeStop (a place to obtain in-game
necessities). Groups have also formed on social media, allowing for
Pokemon “Trainers” to discuss their captures, arrange meet ups and
work through the glitches that come with a new game.
Another interesting side effect of the game is the hashtag
Click here for a great video of Chicago
PokemonGO players in action
Click here to see what’s happening at the
University of Guelph
#PokeBlitz, bringing the game truly outdoors and into an educational
realm.
Students at the University of Guelph are connecting Pokemon
gamers and biologists to identify wildlife found while searching for
Pokemon using #PokeBlitz. The game could easily be connected to
the work of a wildlife biologist or entomologist, careers that seek to
find and identify things found outdoors. The group has already
answered questions from players as far as Europe, Asia and South
America.
While the game might be fun, it can also be distracting. Walking
around looking at your phone to play has already resulted in
numerous accidents and mishaps. Our sidebar of tips for safe play
should help you out!
Whether you’re a casual player or a die-hard trainer, the game
has certainly brought life to our parks and pathways. Good luck
catching your favourite Pokemon out there!
Where are you exploring this summer? Tell us about it!
Use the tag #ExploringMatters on Facebook and Twitter to let us know!
8 The HUB -August 2016