Pokemon Go!

The only problem I have with the game so far is that areas that are usually empty and clean are now being filled with pokemon go players and the rubbish they leave behind. Since the game uses google maps, roads are now being used by people who normally wouldn't think to use them and the players are now hitting up spots that were once well kept secrets by the locals. With all of the subreddits and forums dedicated to pokemon go, all it takes is one person to start notifying tourists and weekenders to ruin parks and trails that were once quite and tranquil. But that is just my experience.

 

as fads go, at least this one is getting people to explore their surroundings, putting in cardio to hatch the eggs, and has off screen social elements where real people interact. the infrastructure of the places aren't prepared but that will level out i think. i can't imagine a bunch of places being irrevocably chernobyled by pokemon go players.

 

I dont really get it but if folks have fun with it and it brings people together in a positive way, it's all good, within limits.

I do agree with Arlington National Cemetery and Holocaust Museum setting restrictions.

And this spin off made me laugh.

 

News article dump INCOMING:

Mental Health

• Pokemon Go's mental health benefits are real

• Pokémon Go is reportedly helping people with their depression

Physical Health

• Sore Legs Become Pandemic As Pokémon Go Players Accidentally Get Exercise

Social Help

Huge gatherings of nerds/geeks

• The world's largest Pokémon Go gathering hits the streets of San Francisco

• Pokemon Go Helped Me Cope With My Social Anxiety

Local Businesses

As a owner, I know how hard it is to fight bigger corporate places and get feet in your storefronts. Because pokestops are usually local businesses or public places, you are seeing a ton of people going to resturants/shops/stores that they would have never visited. I know a Vape shop owner and a coffee shop owner that have said they have doubled business because of the app. They are buying lures to bring people into their businesses (which is cheaper than most printed/digital ads).

• POKEMON GO IS DOUBLING SALES AT SOME BUSINESSES

• What Is Pokemon Go and Why Your Small Business Can’t Afford to Miss This Trend?

*DOGS*

• New Mexico Shelter Turns to ‘Pokemon Go’ to Help Save Dogs

I could list more, but it gets repetitive. Bottom Dollar - This game is doing a lot of good, very little bad.

 

It's not instantly curing depression, but it is giving people a reason to fight back with their depressive swings. I think that's the bigger deal.

TEAM VALOR.



The Fan edits for teams is awesome too.

 

This phenomenon is cool on a number of levels. It's new (way to play) and yet old (everyone knows Pokemon) at the same time.

I walk my pooch in the park each night. Usually there is a stray jogger here and there and other dog-walkers, as well as a few folks shooting hoops. Now though, wow...people all over the place with cellphones in hand. Instead of being insulating, the cellphones are a conduit to interactivity with others, even non-players. I really love this about Pokemon Go.
I enjoy listening to the running commentary from the people in the park and in our neighbourhood. Almost to a person, when the game first came out, were exclamations of how fun it was to be outside(!)

I don't play Pokemon Go but I live with a gamer and so have been updated as much as I wish on the game and how it progresses.
I'm excited about what the future may hold for this game and others to come. Anything that brings people together with a fun common interest is a good thing.

 

In Tulsa a 5 K Pokemon Go walk was arranged. Businesses, churches and a museum were Pokemon stops. This has gotten people out and a reason to walk. I actually quit playing when I realized I wouldn't walk enough to hatch an egg.

 

Jim sterling is a games commentator who is a bit of an acquired taste but has some great insight (often NSFW) about the world of gaming.
His take on Pokemon Go is pretty spot on.

 

Some random kid on campus told me to join the red team....

 

Yeah I haven't gotten that far.

I'm really interested in Augmented Reality and it's benefits for marketing campaigns, so of course I had to see what this was all about. I saw some kid playing and knew by his hand motions that he was playing. I asked him what he was catching, and said I was checking it out. He asked me what team I was on, but I had no clue what he was talking about so I just said I was very new. He told me red was the best team. Better Red than Dead! Amiright?

THEN while at our park where ToddlerSquirrel plays we ran into a bunch of hunters (I'll admit, seeing so many grown men at a kids playground kinda creeps me out.) We learned that the playground is a hotspot for Pokemon. DaddySquirrel yelled, "GO TEAM RED!" Well that started a ruckus. They said they were going to win back their pokespot or whatever from the red....

So yeah. It's kind of fun. I have a reason to do more smack talk about things that don't really matter!!!