What's All The Hype About Pokemon Go...And What The @$#! Is It Anyway?

First, I must admit: My business or I personally have nothing to do with "Pokemon Go", and I've not been compensated by the company in any way whatsoever. But after hearing all the stories about Pokemon, the massive hype, seeing my social media feeds filled with "Pokemon Go", I felt compelled to write what I've learnt about it so far. So here I go...

Remember the old Pokemon games you used to play on your Gameboy Advance? It was certainly one of the most addictive games at the time. If you aren’t a fan of the Pokemon game, you will most likely be irritated at the phrase ‘Pokemon Go’. Yes, this phrase has been used more often in the past week than any other phrase in human history (pardon my exaggeration). With all the rave and hype surrounding the phrase, it is best to understand what ‘Pokemon Go’ is in the first place, and then we will try to analyse why there is so much hype surrounding it. If you are just as tired of hearing about the Pokemon Go as I am, and you do not know what it means, this is the perfect article for you. Stick around; you don’t want to miss this!

So What The @$#! Is Pokemon Go After All?

Pokemon Go is the new and advanced Pokemon game that comes as a mobile application. This game is free to play and anyone can download it on an Android or iOS device. While playing the game, you have the option of using actual money or buying the currency within the game, which is known as PokeCoins. This currency is mostly used to purchase Pokeballs, which you will need to have if you want to capture a Pokemon while playing. If you do not want to spend any of your actual money, you have to earn game currency the hard way; by playing your way through it.

And What's All The Hype About Pokemon Go?

Now here’s where it gets interesting. The game makes use of your mobile device’s GPS system to track your real location while you are playing. This gives gamers the simulated reality of being in the video game. You get to customize your personality in the game, choosing your own form of clothing and team, (which is known as a faction within the game). You also get to choose a number of other interesting aspects about your character within the game. If you do not yet understand how the GPS functionality works, let me explain it a bit for you. Say for example you are walking to the mall; your mobile device can alert you that there is a virtual Pokemon within the region that can be captured. Amazing isn’t it?

This is the reason why people just can’t stop talking about this new game. Now people can simply whip out their mobile devices whenever they are walking around just to check if there is a Pokemon within the vicinity. This has been very embarrassing, as I have seen first hand a couple of my friends bring out their phones in excitement just because they want to catch Pokemon.

There is also the option of the Pokemon jumping right at you, giving you the chance to catch it with your Pokeball. If you capture a Pokemon, it is automatically added into your index, which is called your Pokedex (a form of database record system for the Pokemon you capture; yes, it is that serious). You can go on to personalize your Pokemon at your own time.

Gamers also have the option of going to the virtual gym within the game to make your Pokemon battle against other individuals, that are fellow gamers that have the game installed on their mobile device. The game doesn’t stop at just this. There are also Pokestops within the game, where you can obtain items that you need for your sojourn through the virtual reality world (I do realize I just used the word ‘sojourn’). The items you get from the Pokestops can improve your ability within the game. The amazing thing about the Pokemon Go is the amount of things you can do within the game, coupled with the social nature of the game, making it one mobile game that is sure to stick around for a very long time.

Why Does Everyone Seem To Be Playing Pokemon Go?

It is incredibly hard these days going five minutes on social media without seeing something about Pokemon Go. By now your Twitter and Facebook feed must be filled with news about this game. Even though it can be very draining on your cell battery and data, it is quite addictive. The major reason why there is so much buzz surrounding this game is the realistic and fun nature of the game. Unlike your Gameboy Advance where you are controlling the character through a virtual world, here you are the character and you catch the Pokemon all by yourself!

Pokemon Go is certainly one of the most addictive video games in recent times, and it doesn’t seem like relenting anytime soon. The realistic and social nature of the game makes it incredibly fun to play.

Originally Posted on Linkedin

Jess Wolodkowicz

Tradeshow Strategist | Account Manager

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