Is Pokemon Go Worth the Hype?

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Pokemon has had 75 million downloads and has fans from all over the world, but not everyone is fond of the new game.

Rachel Casey and Madisen Byrd

Pokemon Go, a new interactive app based off traditional Pokemon characters has the world running around with hopes to “catch ‘em all.” After the game’s release this summer in early July, the Pokemon craze from many people’s childhoods has been revived, and they now cannot seem to get enough of Pikachu and the gang. Besides just being a fun game, Pokemon Go gets people (and dogs) outside and active.

According to ABC News, animal shelters are beginning to take advantage of this new surge in outdoor activity. At the Muncie Indiana Shelter, Pokemon Go users can volunteer to walk dogs while pokehunting. Similar programs are beginning to pop up across the country. This provides exercise for the dogs and companionship for the players, a win-win situation.

In order to reach PokeStops and discover new Pokemon, users end up exploring new places and, consequently, meeting new people in the process. Lures, placed in various locations to attract Pokemon, also tend to draw in crowds of Pokehunters.

“There’s always a chance you’ll see people”, said freshman Zach Caryl.

Like Caryl, many find that the popularity behind Pokemon Go is mainly due to the fact that it can be a very social game, drawing together people of all ages. Just in the Winter Springs Town Center alone, a passersby can typically find at least one or two groups battling Pokemon gyms and collecting items from the nearby PokeStops.

However, on the slight downside, in addition to meeting new people, players also have a chance of coming in contact with a myriad of crimes and suspicious activity. In fact, many traffic accidents have occurred from instances of “pokehunting and driving.” While playing Pokemon Go, two men ignored multiple warning signs, fell “more than 50 feet” off a cliff, and were later rescued by the fire department mentioned USA Today. This just goes to show the dangers Pokemon Go can cause if users do not pay attention to the real world.

But according to junior Ariel Napier, the biggest crime most teenagers face when playing is Pokemon Go’s excessive “battery usage.” Phones typically drop from fully charged to 50% in less than an hour. Not only can it drain phone battery with the snap of a finger, but when roaming without wifi, Pokemon Go tends to use large amounts of data, causing phone bills to constantly be on the rise.

So, when out pokehunting in the real world, make sure to always be aware of your surroundings, carry a charger, and most importantly, have fun!