For most people that archaic concept of video games is still most commonly associated with the image of a youngster (define that however you may) couch potato. But over the years that concept has evolved and changed so much that now it seems to have been completely turned on its head – as the mobile game (the 2016 avatar of the video game) Pokemon Go stands proof.
Available in only three countries that does not include India (though it can be accessed through other means, of course), Pokemon Go has already become a global phenomenon. Within a week of its release, the game was downloaded 7.5 million times in the US alone. What makes the game so different from the several thousand others easily available on our phoneIJ It is the concept of augmented reality wherein, simply put, you have to do things in the real world, to achieve results on your virtual game board.
Now, Pokemon GO is not the only mobile game to incorporate this technology (Ingress, for example, does thee same) but its immense popularity stems from the fact that it has already been a well-known franchise for many years. Pokemon was launched in Japan in 1996 and then quickly spread around the world. It was quite the rage in India too, mostly among tweens and teenagers. Those who were in that age group in the late 1990s are now adults, delighted at a new chance of interacting with their favourite childhood characters. The other factor that has worked in favour of Pokemon Go is of course that it is great content – the game works without too many snags, the technology is fresh and innovative.
However, the game has already put forth certain challenges: For one, distracted players on crowded streets have been a safety risk to themselves and others so much so that signs have already come up ‘saying don’t pokemon and drive’. Also, the game has taken players into inappropriate territory such as the Holocaust Museum and 9/11 Ground Zero spot. This has led to some controversy. But these are early days and it will be interesting to see how this technology, marrying our real and virtual words, evolves. 