It’s the newest “big” thing, a blockbuster, & taking much of the world (& now, the US) by storm. So much so that most social media users are obsessing about it on social media forums. The object of their fascination – Pokémon GO.
It’s been less than a week since the new augmented reality (AR) game was released (July 6), Pokémon GO is currently the top-downloaded free app, & the top grossing app, in both the Apple & Android stores. After US, Australia & New Zealand, Europe & Asia better watch out! That’s where the game is headed now.
According to a Forbes report that quoted market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, Pokémon GO already has 7.5 million downloads on iOS & Android (Google Play only) since early Thursday, with US $1.6 million in daily revenue in Apple’s iOS store alone, though those figures are bound to increase as new data continues to roll in.
So what is the fuss about, you ask? So here is the low down, a brief explainer on what the game is all about.
Spotted! A Pokemon.
Pokémon GO is a free augmented reality, currently available on Apple & Android stores. Once you download the game on your smart device, players are required to physically move around the real world in order to capture Pokémon – short for pocket monsters.
After you open the app & create an account, you’re greeted by your avatar standing in the middle of a map of wherever you are. The app tracks your location via GPS as you walk around looking for Pokémon & visiting Pokestops.
When you’re in the vicinity of a Pokémon, your phone will vibrate & the Pokémon you’ve encountered will appear on the map. You touch it, & then the app will switch to its camera mode, where it shows the Pokémon standing near you. It’s like catching a ghost – like we said, the game is in AR, which means obviously, the Pokemon does not exist in the real world.
To catch the Pokémon, you need Pokeballs, which you can obtain by checking in at Pokestops, which tend to be local landmarks like churches & parks, or cool hangout joints like bars or popular gaming stores. Once you get closer to the Pokestops & select them on the app map, it will give you an assortment of items, including Pokeballs… & that’s how you keep going further into the game.
We are sure you’ll figure it out as you go.
So again, why such popularity in such a short time?
According to a report on The Wrap, there are 2 main reasons why so many people have jumped on the “Pokémon GO” bandwagon: the social aspect, & the funny pictures.
The game is a sort of universal icebreaker because of the whole scavenger hunt angle. It’s an excuse to talk to people & make new acquaintances, even if it’s just for a few moments.
But players can tell pretty easily who other players are. The way they hold their phones while they’re walking around, for one thing — it looks like they’re getting directions from a GPS app. Then suddenly they stop & hold up their phones like they’re trying to take a picture. Except they’re pointing their phones in different directions & cursing a lot because they’re flinging Pokeballs at a Pokemon & missing…
🙂
But we think this is 1 of the biggest pros of the game. Unlike all video & mobile games that we have seen so far, Pokémon GO is having people move out of their homes, on to the streets, popular hangout joints, parks & where not. All other games have only trapped the players inside their home… or let’s just say inside their computers or smart devices.
According to available data, on July 8, only 2 days after the its release, the game was already installed on 5.16% of all Android devices in the US, which is more than how many times Tinder has been installed. The app engagement, too, is off the charts. Over 60% of those who have downloaded the app in the US are using it daily & in a few more days, the game will not only have more downloads, but more active users each day.
Image Credit: Pokemon GO
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