Are you perplexed by the world of Pokémons? Do you feel like you’re the only person in the world who doesn’t really grasp what Pokémon Go is all about? Well, believe it or not, you’re in good company especially if you’re over 45! In this article we unravel the mystery of Pokémon Go so that you can talk knowledgeably about Pokéstops and Pokéballs to your office colleagues or children.
What is Pokémon Go?
Pokémon Go is a free augmented reality game that is based on the original Nintendo handheld console games that were popular in the late 1990s. Pokémon are exotic creatures that take on a variety of forms including rats, snakes, dragons, trees, eggs and swords. And in Pokémon Go players move around physically in the real world to capture Pokémon. Your phone’s GPS and clock will detect where and when you are in the game and will make Pokémon appear around you on your phone’s screen. As you move around, different types of Pokémon will appear depending on where you are and what time it is. To catch a Pokémon, you need Pokéballs, which you can obtain by checking in at Pokéstops. These tend to be situated close to local landmarks such as churches, fountains, parks and so on. As with the original Pokémon games, there are a total of 151 creatures to collect.
Why is Pokémon Go so popular?
One of the main reasons the game is proving to be so popular is that it is free to download on Android or iOS. This also makes it readily accessible to the vast majority of mobile users.
Another reason why it is so popular is the augmented reality aspect. Augmented reality relates to the interaction between the game and the real world. In fact, it’s not the first time that this approach has been adopted in gaming, but it certainly is the largest application of it. Pokémon are not real, but in this game it can almost feel as though they are and that appeals greatly to the imagination of both young and old.
Another aspect that appeals to both young and old is the competitive side of the game: who can collect the most Pokémon in the shortest possible time. In fact, there have been reports of people getting into punch-ups and arguments when hunting for Pokémon! That’s perhaps taking it a bit too far, but there is no denying that the competitive and social aspect to the game is engaging.
Whatever the reasons are behind its popularity, there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s taken the entire globe by storm and that in itself is sustaining the Pokémania!
So with this basic lesson in Pokémon Go under your belt at least you’ll be able to sound as though you know what you’re talking about, or you may even feel equipped to go out and capture a few Pokémons yourself!