using a smartphone ’ s GPS and the real location ; so , rather than the player moving a character in a game , it is the player who has to physically move to where the Pokémon are in order to capture them . All that anyone has to do is wander by one of the popular landmarks in their local city and it is likely that there will be kids capturing Pokémon . The framework of the game is a free app for the smartphone from the app store or from Google Play . Real money is used to purchase PokéCoins , which are then , in turn , used to purchase Pokéballs , lures and incense — the in-game items needed to be able to catch Pokémon .
You play the game by wandering around your neighbourhood with your phone in your hand , following the stylized Google maps , and your character walks through the game with you . Your character — and you — encounter Pokémon overlaid on actual , real-world places around you . When these Pokémon pop up on the screen , they are captured by throwing virtual Pokéballs at them on the screen .
Captured Pokémon get added to the Pokédex , a sort of Pokémon database , where they can be customized by adding fancy clothing . As you acquire experience as a Pokémon player , you ‘ level up ,’ but that can also be done by going to a virtual gym in the game and battling other Pokémon that have been left there to defend the gym . In future updates , Niantic ( the software development company responsible for Pokémon Go ) hopes to add the ability to have players battle one another and trade Pokémon , much like the original version of the game that still lives on with players still collecting Pokémon trading cards and faithfully watching the television series .
How can you get involved ? While you may normally eschew online games , this one might actually prove to be a great way to connect with family , get some fresh air and attain your 10,000 steps . You might actually learn something as you walk around local monuments such as the Wayne Gretzky statue , the Legislature grounds , and the U of A campus .
Although the game may sound a bit silly , it could be fun to grab a grandchild and let them do the capturing while you wander with them , keeping them safely out of harm ’ s way — and perhaps throwing in a little history lesson here and there since many cultural landmarks are Pokéstops . Perhaps there could be ice cream after you capture enough Pokémon . Gotta catch ’ em all !
There is a Pokémon Go webpage at pokemongo . com that has more information and links to the apps . news & views WINTER 2016 | 41