Pokémon GO Sends Players on a Hunt for Virtual Creatures in the Real World

Pokémon GO, a new location-based game for iOS and Android mobile devices, combines the 20-year old franchise with augmented reality and GPS data to set Pokémon free in the real world.

Pokémon GO, a new mobile game for iPhone and Android smartphones, allows users to play in the real world through augmented reality. The game challenges players to find, catch, battle and train Venusaur, Pikachu, Blastoise and other Pokémon in the streets, parks, shopping centres, recreation areas or any other location, and encourages them to connect with other users in the vicinity while playing.

To earn points (in the form of stardust and candy), players must use a map to explore their cities and the surrounding area to find and catch Pokémon. They can do this with the help of their smartphones, which vibrate whenever players are near a Pokémon. When players discover one of the virtual creatures, they can simply take aim on their touch screen and throw a Poké Ball to catch it.

Players can also look for PokéStops, where they can collect Poké Balls and win rewards simply by visiting. PokéStops are usually found at interesting locations, such as historical landmarks, monuments, or public art installations.

Pokémon GO is free to download and play, but users can buy PokéCoins, the in-game currency used to unlock special items, which are earned at a slower rate early in the game if a user opts not to buy them. Players can also use the Pokémon GO Plus, a small wearable device that connects to smartphones via Bluetooth and lets them play the game without looking at their phone.

The game has already received praise from health professionals for improving the mental and physical health of players and increasing their motivation to exercise. While there are no clinical studies to confirm the benefits, the social element of the game facilitates interaction for players with social anxiety or depression, and the game itself creates a strong impetus for people to spend time outdoors and be more active.

Pokémon GO was developed by the American software development company Niantic, best known for the 2012 augmented reality massively multiplayer mobile game Ingress, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, a Japanese company established by Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures in 1998. The game was launched in early July and is available from Google Play or the App Store.