A NEW mobile app craze is sweeping the world and Brighton and Hove is no exception.
Pokémon Go uses augmented reality software to superimpose the collectable creatures from Japanese cartoon, Pokémon, onto the real world.
Loool Pokemon hunting for the day 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/gP3B1Sv6Rt
— Hannah Birchmore (@HannahBirchm) July 14, 2016
How it works
Basically, the app uses your camera and GPS to place virtual reality Pokemon in the real world around. You then have to collect them by throwing your Pokeball at them. Then you train them, and fight other players with them.
You can find them by walking around your area, and players are tasked with training, trading and fighting other Pokémon.
We promise that we'll post when #PokemonGo is live everywhere. Please follow and RT to spread the word! pic.twitter.com/kUP2Uv8F6u
— Pokémon Go News (@PokemonGoNews) July 6, 2016
The game also includes 'Pokéstops' where items can be picked up, as well as Pokémon 'gyms' where your collected creatures can be trained up to fight.
Pokéstops are usually located at popular meeting places, tourist attractions or landmarks.
You can also use 'lures' to draw pokemon (and other players) to where you are.
Read more: How to catch pokemon
The game has been credited with getting people to exercise
Pokémon is for cool people🙏🏼🤔😊 pic.twitter.com/Mv3G2W7tEL
— Emmie Raines (@RainesEmmie) July 14, 2016
Because the best way to find new Pokemon is to walk around looking for them (your phone will buzz when you're near one), the game has been credited with getting a lot of young people out and about. Players have been known to spend hours walking around their town looking for them.
Pokemon GO is just insane right now. This is in Central Park. It's basically been HQ for Pokemon GO. pic.twitter.com/3v2VfEHzNA
— Jonathan Perez (@IGIhosT) July 11, 2016
It's sent Nintendo's share price soaring
The company's shares have surged after Pokemon GO shot to the top of the iTunes chart.
But it's also had some adverse publicity
In America, some teenagers were arrested after apparently using lures to draw players to their location in order to rob them.
One girl playing the game found a dead body, and a man whose house used to be a church has had hundreds of players sitting in the street outside because it's marked in the app as a gym.
It also needs your mobile data to work, and the app's permissions include giving itself access to your entire Google account, including the ability to read your Gmail. It knows where you go, when, for how long, and who else is there.
If that's doesn't put you off, you can have a go yourself:
The game’s UK launch was put back until developers, Nintendo, Niantic and the Pokémon Company can be sure the online servers which distribute the free-to-play game won’t crash under demand.
- There are already plenty of people in Brighton playing the game - there's even a Facebook group online.
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