CU Boulder is not immune to the “Pokémon Go” craze sweeping the nation. If you happen to bump into groups of students, faculty and staff who are intently walking around campus studying their phones and exclaiming over Jigglypuffs and Charizards, you might be in the middle of the game.
Here’s how to play:
Pokémon Go is a free download for Android and iOS devices. It’s an augmented reality game that uses your phone’s GPS system and clock to decide what type of Pokémon appear – for instance, if it’s night time, nocturnal and ghost-type Pokémon appear; if you’re at a park, grass-dwelling Pokémon appear; if you’re at a lake, water-type Pokémon appear, and so on – just like the handheld virtual reality Nintendo Pokémon games. If the app is running, your phone will vibrate when you approach a Pokémon. You can then use your phone’s touchscreen to throw a Poke Ball at it to capture it.
The game also offers meeting places called PokeStops where players can meet up in real life. The game tries to make these stops at interesting local spots like historical markers and monuments and you can collect more Poke Balls and other game items while there. Campus sites include the Koenig Alumni Center, Varsity Lake, Fiske Planetarium and Norlin Library.
Pokémon Go is a fun game, but it’s also a great way to get outside and get some exercise while enjoying the beautiful summer weather. It also encourages players to explore their local area, especially by placing the PokeStops in unusual and interesting locations. The game also facilitates meetings between people who might not ordinarily hang out together, broadening social circles over a shared desire to play the game – after all, you’ve gotta catch ‘em all.
We are all excited about the Pokemon on campus, but please be sure to pay attention to things such as traffic, light poles and other pedestrians; anything that might be in your path as you "catch them all."