The recent sensation of Nintendo’s recent app, Pokemon Go, has dramatically changed the prospects of the summer. This smartphone app increased Nintendo’s stock value by 33 percent upon release and gained over nine billion dollars in revenue. But what exactly is so enticing about this game?
An instant hit, the resurfacing company has been through almost every entertainment industry it could cover. Churning out merchandise, trading cards, television shows, and videogames, this company has adapted to the constantly changing technology with grace. The premise of the original game of catching Pokemon and battling others has now been perpetuated into a new Apple and Android app. The game is the top of charts for free apps and top grossing in the Apple store. It’s a blast from the past for fans and even older millennials as they explore to catch Pokemon, battle for prestige, and take over gyms. In order to find Pokemon, the user must walk along their neighborhoods and essentially, get out of the house to find new creatures. The app completely augments reality so that users can find Pokemon anywhere they go. Most Pokemon are located in interesting places such as museums, art installations, historical markers, and monuments -- otherwise known as Pokestops-- where visitors may both gain new resources for capturing Pokemon and end up exploring new places. The ingenious model gives users a reason to walk and exercise in order to hatch eggs, find Pokestops, and find Pokemon through GPS location services to track where the user is.
All of this is great in theory; however, this sensational trend has affected people of all wakes of life. Excited 8-year-olds dragging their parents to the park at 6am, and criminals using the game as a chance to catch more than Pokemon, this app places children into vulnerable situations. Associated crimes include both armed robbery and even kidnappings as people may set lures, which are items in the game that attract Pokemon, late at night. More reported crimes are Pokemon-related robberies such as by police in Baltimore where three people were robbed at gunpoint. Authorities are not certain whether the perpetrators were using the game to take advantage of the victims’ vulnerability or use their distracted state to grab their valuable smartphones.
Hopeful Pokemon trainers may overlook the dangers of being distracted from one’s surroundings with the possibility of catching a rare Pokemon. Moreover, people with phones glued to their faces may endanger themselves walking in the streets. Running into poles and other people is more likely than it is thought to be--in fact, these people may crash as often as the app does. Data usage is arguably also a reoccurring issue with users.
While some may be ecstatic to revisit their past, there is a great number of disgruntled citizens fighting the increased foot traffic or frequently stopping cars on pursuit of nearby Pokemon. It is a great game for people who otherwise see little sunlight; however, it is a shame that such a popular motivation to go outside is a technologically-based game. Relaxing days at the park may now be packed with motivated teenagers with their phones on hand.
Regardless of the dangers, it is clear that the app has brought new waves of successful traffic to both the streets and Nintendo. The dangers of the game are clearly not as much as a concern as the great prestige that comes with becoming the very best. Most recommendations from users say the game is safe to play, as the frustrated pedestrians silently shun the unaware players. Doubtless, Pokemon Go became an overnight sensation and now players across the world are determined to Catch ‘em all!