Pokemeon Go – What’s All The Hype?

Pokemon GO

If you have not heard about Pokemon GO then it is possible you have not been outdoors for a few weeks and have no internet connection. POGO (as some people refer to it) is what is called an augmented reality game which is played on your mobile device. Basically that means that it allows you to see some computer generated stuff on your camera so that it seems to be in the real world.

The game has become one of the biggest of all time, overnight, after launching in only a few countries around the world. It crushed Candy Crush and other similar games in just under a week. Millions of users have taken to playing the game which requires players to travel around and collect points and items to use to catch imaginary creatures. This is done by flicking a virtual ball at a virtual creature which shows on your smart phone screen.

The Pokemon brand has been around for a long time. There have been various types of Pokemon games and TV shows and movies released over the years which has helped build a strong fan base among not only new players (ie. young people) but also a surprisingly older audience. In fact the children of yesteryear which used to watch the cartoon on TV (about a young boy who traveled the world looking for small creatures and battling his friends and enemies) have all grown up and now own smart phones and have access to online payments via the iStore or Google Play store.

The game is billed as free to pay but that does not mean their are no costs involved. The game requires users to have mobile data turned on (it can be played in a pointless way over WiFi but since the idea is to get people to “GO” this is not ideal) and uses GPS info to move your online avatar around the map on your phone as you move around the real world. Players can then visit spots chosen by google maps (which plugs in in the background) and spin an onscreen icon. Doing so provides players with experience points (XP) and items like “Pokeballs” which are used to capture wild Pokemon.

Several funny cartoons have been made around this strange experience of people having to go outside and experience the outdoors, such as these:

The game has had it’s share of controversy (as will any game that exploded in popularity over night). In fact it was recently banned in Iran (they were worried that the CIA are spying on their people or something).

At first the issues were around their computer servers not being able to handle all the players who downloaded the game. Later these turned to complaints about people cheating at the game and then onto the expected issues around privacy and people trespassing. The game recently updated to warn against the dangers of driving ad playing. Also a factor is that the game requires data to use (not crazy amounts but it does require it). Many users have also found that the game drains your battery quite quickly. this has lead to a boom in the sale of portable battery charges (banks).

The question then is: Is this “free” game for me or my kids?

The game does encourage kids (and adults) to be more active. Properly supervised or monitored this can be a good thing when so many parents are concerned about the sedentary life their kids lead. For older children (ie. YOU, you nostalgic nerd, you) it is kind of like a Fitbit on crack! People are getting up of the couch and heading out – Sometimes over fences into peoples private property (the game asks you not to do this). Maybe Discovery and Niantic should get together and create a crazy fitness app baby. Now that would be a Poket Monster.

The game does require users to keep their eyes on their phones and so even though players are outdoors you can usually spot them by the way they are glued to their screens. since the game has three teams it also includes a social element which encourages cooperation and socialising, Also not a bad thing if done right.

At present, the makers of the game are progressively releasing it world wide country by country. SA was not one of the first countries chosen but thanks to some clever internet people the game can be downloaded from providers other than the iStore or Google Play. Naturally this has had to be done with some caution to avoid accidentally downloading any viruses (yes, they do have viruses for phones..they are basically small computers now). This is not a big threat but is worth mentioning as it can and has happened to a few people here and there. Visit the iStore or Google Play to find their official release (when it happens). Once downloaded players in SA can not only play the game but also make financial transactions on the phone. Parents should be aware of this, as the game does have the option to buy a few things to make life easier if desired. Though the costs are low (and not needed to play the game)  you don’t want your kids raking up a big bill through the Play/iStore.

The answer will depend on your situation and mobile data allowance. 

It sure is popular.