Pokémon Go brings the local community together
If you’re trying to be the very best, like no one ever was, perhaps it’s time to check out the Pokémon Go community here within the Hudson Valley.
Since it’s launch in July of 2016, Pokémon Go has flourished around the world, averaging over 20 million daily active users. Niantic, the creator of the virtual platform, has since continued its push towards improving upon its application, which immerses the gammer in the high stakes world of Pokémon. The app works in that as you move, your avatar will walk with you, finding Pokémon along the way in which you have the ability to catch. On top of catching Pokémon, the user is able to battle in gyms, participate in daily quests and raids, and hatch eggs solely by walking around. Niantic’s newest update however has trainers actively engaging in the app more than ever before: ‘Community Day.’
‘Community Day’ is an event held once a month for a total of four hours where one rare Pokémon spawn will spawn consistently at a high rate. This entices trainers to continue to spend time on the app by expanding their Pokédex, ultimately helping them become a more elite player. Outside of improving in the game however, ‘Community Day’ has expanded the virtual world of Pokémon into the real world, as it’s a moment where the entire apps community comes together and interacts with each other while playing the game they love.
“I absolutely love Community Day events in Pokémon Go!” Said Chelsea Carole-Roundy, a level 40 Pokémon Go trainer and the creator of the ‘Pokémon Go in the Hudson Valley’ community on Facebook. “I’ve been hosting Community Day events at Dutchess Community College and they have been a huge success. We’ve had over 100 players show up for our last event.”
Through the Facebook group in which Chelsea created, local Pokémon enthusiasts have been able to communicate with one another to highlight their successful catches, gather a community of people in order to participate in a raid, and even coordinate group hangout sessions.
“I now have official Pokémon Go friends,” said Carrie Burns, a level 39 trainer and a member of the ‘Pokémon Go in the Hudson Valley’ community Facebook page. “In general they are people I might not have known in real life, but we have chat groups and hunt together. As a teacher, it helps me too, as I also have made some nice connections with students of mine who also play the game.”
Not only is the Hudson Valley community adding to their Pokédex through these events, but their adding new members as well. Most notably, they’ve added WRRV radio show host PJ from Midday with PJ to their community.
If you are interested in the Pokémon Go community, make sure to check out the ‘Pokémon Go in the Hudson Valley’s’ Facebook page. The next community day is May 19th, starting at 2:00pm, where trainers will be able to catch Charmanders in bulk.
