Pokémon Go Buzz

I am one amongst them who do not involve much in the virtual world out of fear of addiction. I only get into gaming world when there is nothing important left to do in real life. Out of various games I played, I am very much attracted towards mysterious ones where we need to find objects or suspected personality for our survival in it. Other than that, only game which interested me is Candy Crush Saga where user keeps crushing delicious candies in order to gain more points and move to next levels. This game has not only attracted hard core gamers but also casual players like me. During spare time, we can find people in offices, malls, parks etc., with their fingers and eyes dancing on the mobile screen as they are the world’s best dance pair. This is how people are involved into gaming. The King.com, brain behind this game has submerged in tons of money and appreciations for this game’s success.  According to Bloomberg, King reached 150.4 million monthly users on Facebook although people are not happy to see their Facebook notifications filled with candy crush requests every time.

We are in the era where game has become a part of life to relieve stress. Taking this into account, developers are aiming at more and more games where they can involve people completely in it. One such giant is Niantic,Inc. It is best known for augmented reality mobile games. Recently they came up with a “Pokémon Go” which not only strained the server from higher demand upon its release but also topped the American App Store’s “Top Grossing” and “Free” charts. The average daily usage of this app in Android device exceeded famous apps such as Snapchat, Tinder, Instagram, and Facebook  by July 12, 2016. This is how “Pokémon Go”  made buzz all over internet and hooked smartphone owners to it.

Pokémon Go is available for free on both play store and app store. Hence this added to its popularity. It makes use of GPS and the camera of devices to make Pokémon appear around you.  As you keep playing, you will find Pokémon wherever you go based on your current location and time. It allows player to capture, battle, and train Pokémon as soon as it is discovered. This game makes all Pokémon fans to feel as though Pokémon is really roaming around them at all times. Maps provided in this game marks PokéStops, which are the real locations near by where you can snatch Poké Ball and other game items by going there physically. Pokémon Go Plus is an optional wearable device which starts vibrating when there’s a Pokémon nearby. Throw a Poké Ball on it and increase your level. This game also supports in-app purchases of gaming items.

Even though, it is the most downloaded mobile app in the United States in its first three days of release, it generated safety concerns. Players are often reminded to “look up, away from your phone and both ways before crossing the street” by Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services  on its launch day. This shows how this game is absorbing players into Pokémon world. Though I am not a hardcore player, I am wondering how successfully Pokémon engraved into my brain because of its popularity. If you prioritise leisure more than anything, then Pokémon Go is made for you!