Pokemon Go Storm
The Pokémon Go has proved a great success in establishing mobile game by intelligence of location-based augmented reality technology. It seems like suddenly the entire community is flicking pokeballs to almost everywhere to find Pikachu and its friends, except for those who are camping without phone services. According to an app analytic firm SimilarWeb, the Pokémon Go app now has more daily users in U.S than social media apps. SimilarWeb also says that players are using Pokemon Go for an average of 43 minuets per day, which is more than messaging apps like Whatsapp and Snapchat. The augmented reality technology provides players a real life experiencing catching and petting pocket monsters. However, there are tons of safety related issues and warnings has reported and announced both in U.S and U.K. Pokémon Go players should be aware of safety issues. On the other hand, illustrator should involve safety instructions and make further updates considering safety issues on Pokémon and PokeStop locations.
The U.K Richmond Police has released safety guides for Pokémon. CNN also reported last week that a group of Missouri teens took advantage of their local PokeStop location to wait for gamers to show up and rob them. On the other hand, gamers are “creeping in bushes” and “seeking around” for little monsters. Autumn Daiseroth who suffered several injuries blames Pokémon Go for a car hitting her while she trying to catch a Pokémon. The 15- year old’s mother has no doubt what’s to blame and she said it is no reason that a teen would walk across the highway. The safety issues relate to Pokémon Go happens all over the place, but it continues spreading all over the world.
My social media has been taken over by screen shoots of Pikachu and its friends in every location on day. I for sure will not give up on this real life gaming experience by joining Pokémon trainer’s club immediately. I cannot help myself checking the phone, looking at the navigation system, reading descriptions on PokeStops, and finding the right places while walking on the street in busy London. I found being in a moving vehicle is another wonderful choice for finding little monsters all over the place. Here I mean” being in” not “driving”. It is like back to childhood again and encourages people to go outside and walk around to find interesting PokeStop places. Every time I go search for a PokeStop or Pokémon. The location-based augmented reality technology on a phone is too fun to make users be aware of surroundings.
Victoria Woollaston, a digital editor, who went hunting for Pokémon in lunch break with her colleagues also saying that Pokémon Go is more like a group event for people to get together and go outside. There are tons of people like Victoria, they do find interesting PokeStops like public art installations, historical landmarks and monuments. However, people also find PokeStops like Hell’s Angels Clubbhouse, and anti-abortion display, and even a shipwreck in the sea, these are definitely “interesting places”, but lead to safety issues.
The fantasy technology and real life gaming experience catch people’s eyes. It should always be game developer’s responsibility for ensuring the app itself would not cause danger for users. Especially, the Pokémon Go as an all-age game with location system, the developer should consider if it is safe for everyone or provide an age-appropriate experience for younger gamers.