After finishing their classes, students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) are not done scurrying around campus. Whether it’s the middle of the day or late at night, onlookers may see students sprinting from building to building. What’s the rush? They’re using the Pokémon Go app, on a mission to catch ‘em all.
Pokemon Go is an interactive smartphone app that lets users catch virtual creatures known as Pokémon. The type and amount of Pokémon that appear are determined by the player’s real-world geographical location. As players move around, so does their avatar.
Using augmented reality (AR) technology, the game places “PokéStops” and “Pokémon Gyms” in real-world locations. These stops and gyms are where players can obtain items and battle amongst each other.
Since its release date on July 6, 2016, Pokemon Go has turned into a global game sensation. Many praise the game for encouraging players to get active.
Before the game came out, Gabriela Lara, animal science major, used to stay in her room a lot and had a hard time getting to talk with other people. However, she explains that Pokemon Go got her to “go outside,” not just physically, but mentally. It helped her get out of her shell and helped her meet new people and make new friends.
“It got me outside,” Lara said. “You meet more people and get to know where you live more.” Lara explains that the game is a fun way to get to know your town or city. Once a player arrives at a “PokéStop,” the game gives them a brief description of the area. For example, if a “PokéStop” is placed is placed in a library, the game will give a brief description about the library.
Besides getting players to socialize and be active, many enjoy playing the game because of the nostalgia that comes with it. Michael Lagunes, engineering major, says he’s always been a fan of Pokémon since he was a child.
Lagunes explains that the game allows him to become a real Pokémon trainer, a life-long dream of many people who grew up with the game series. He believes Pokémon has become more than just a children’s game.
“It was once supposed to be perceived as a ‘kid’s game,’ but then it became more for adults after the first-generation players started to grow up. Then the next generation grew up and so forth. So, it became more of an all-type game play,” Lagunes said. “Now there is a lot more detail put into the game and into the franchise itself.”
The game has made several updates since its release two years ago. New features include Pokémon trading, special quests, updates to Pokémon ¬Gyms and much more. One thing that has remained constant is the competitive drive between the three main teams in Pokémon Go: Team Valor, Instinct and Mystic.
The app has players pick a team at the beginning of the game. Players can use their team status to claim a “Pokémon Gym” in the name of their team. This feature allows the game to be competitive and creates team building.
Jose Ramirez, civil engineer major, says fighting against others team is his favorite feature in the game. With four “Pokémon Gyms” on campus, Ramirez explains that the competition is very stiff at TAMUK, specifically between Team Mystic and Team Valor.
Another improved feature are the Pokémon Community Day events. During that time, a rare Pokémon will appear more frequently for three hours on a specified day. Community day occurs once a month and brings players from surrounding cities. In Kingsville alone, people come from Corpus Christi, Alice and Bishop just to play.The next Pokemon Community Go event will occur on Sept. 22.
Despite being release in 2016, the game is consistently getting new players. Joseph Garza, biology major, just downloaded the game in his phone this summer.
“The game is highly addicting. We’re about to get a fourth generation, maybe before the year ends or during 2019,” Garza said.
Garza isn’t the only one hoping for a new generation of Pokémon to be added to the game. Many players are hoping a new generation will be arriving soon and expand the community that Pokémon Go has created.
“If they release new Pokémon generations, then the game will stick around a bit longer. Just as long as they keep pumping out new Pokémon. But as soon as the designs get too ridiculous, then they might start falling,” Ramirez said jokingly.