Pokémon makes a comeback
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POLSON — Nostalgia has overcome Pokémon fans as Pikachu, Weedle and the squad have taken the streets of cities across the United States and around the world. The new Pokémon GO phone app has revolutionized the gaming industry by creating a new form of exercise that gathers people of all ages together, according to game user Logan Hutton.
“It brings back a lot of memories,” Hutton said.
“When I was younger I used to collect the cards because they looked cool.”
Hutton explained how the game combines parts of everyday life and technology on an iPhone or Android.
“Augmented reality creates an environment similar to real life and mixes it with Pokémon world,” Hutton said. “It is all on the screen of your phone using the camera setting.”
The Pokémon video game uses real-world locations such as Flathead Lake and downtown Ronan, along with bigger cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles as inspiration for the fantasy settings in which the game takes place. Pokémon creatures appear in the screen when holding the camera in certain areas.
For example, some water- type Pokémon images only pop-up close to lakes and oceans. Once Pokémon are spotted, the objective is to catch the character by throwing Poke-balls with the swipe of a finger.
“It is addicting,” Hutton said. “It is a brand new way to play video games because you have to be outside and walking around searching for them.”
Pokémon GO has players on their feet moving around, which has increased physical activity in game users, according to Hutton.
Each Pokémon location is pinned on a vague map.
Pokémon fanatic Candice Peters likes being outdoors and active, but says there are some downfalls to using the game.
“It is great to see people walking and exercising while playing Pokémon GO, but people have their faces in a screen,” Peters said. “It can be dangerous, especially in traffic areas.”
Peters continued to list the pro’s and con’s of Pokémon GO. “Kids are in front of a screen more, they are staying out past curfew running around chasing a fake creature, but there are positives to the game too,” Peters said.
Although the game can be hazardous, Peters believes it is “the start to something healthier” in the gaming world.
“Just the fact that we are seeing technology creating games that are played outside and more interactive is great,” Peters said.
Peters and Hutton, along with their friend Leah Perzichilli enjoy the social aspect of the game, as well.
“We are all older, so we do feel a bit odd playing this game,” Perzichilli said.
“We grew up with Pokémon though and are having fun with it again.”
Perzichilli explained younger generations are find ing enjoyment in the game too.
“It really has become a game for all ages,” Perzichilli said. “It makes me happy to see kids playing a game that I loved when I was little.”
