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4 Ways Pokemon GO Has Already Changed the World

We're all real life trainers now.

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There’s More Social Interaction

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This is probably the biggest change that’s been brought about by Pokemon GO since its launch nearly three weeks ago. Everywhere you look, people are on their phones, and you know for a fact that they’re trying to catch more Pokemon. The implementation of PokeStops and Lure Modules also play a big part in the social interaction that comes with the app. Lure Modules are expensive, so instead of buying one from the app store every time you want to catch Pokemon, trainers in the area have taken to hanging out at PokeStops to share their Lure Modules so everyone can join in the fun.

Hanging around a PokeStop is a great way to meet fellow trainers, compare Pokedex data, and just bond over your mutual love of Pokemon in general. Making new friends can be pretty cool, y’know? Now, instead of buying a second round of drinks at the local bar, trainers are buying Lure Modules and hooking them up for everyone who happens to be around.

People are Getting More Exercise

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In order to hatch eggs in Pokemon GO, you have to walk a certain distance. There are three tiers of Pokemon eggs in the game: 2km, 5km, and 10km. So if you’re hoping to hatch a really rare Pokemon from that 10km egg, you have a lot of walking to do. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Implementing eggs in the game provides an incentive for people to get out of the house more and walk around for some extra exercise.

Even walking from PokeStop to PokeStop just to see if there are any Lure Modules around is a wonderful way to stretch out those legs and stay fit. With Pokemon GO, it’s now a lot easier to will yourself to get out of the house for those nighttime jogs because of the rare Pokemon rewards that you could potentially get from your hatched eggs.

Opportunities for Cultural Appreciation

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A lot of PokeStops can be found at historical landmarks such as monuments and museums. This means that trainers who aim to visit every PokeStop in their area will eventually find themselves visiting these culturally significant spots, and will have the opportunity to learn more about their own country/state’s history and heritage.

However, it’s also important to be mindful and respectful when you’re visiting historically significant venues. While it might be exciting to take over a Gym, or set up a new Lure Module at the PokeStop, players should always remember that there’s a time to play, and there’s a time to put the phone away out of proper respect for the meaning and value of the places they’re visiting. Instead of making a ruckus inside a museum that happens to be a PokeStop, maybe leave the Poke hunting outside of the building, and pay some attention to what the museum has to offer instead.

Businesses are Benefiting

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Pokemon GO allows you to choose from three different teams: Mystic, Valor, and Instinct. Depending on your team allegiance, you might just get to enjoy food discounts from various eateries and stores that happen to be PokeStops as well. Because of the PokeStop function, it’s also a lot easier to attract trainers in the vicinity to certain rest areas and diners because of the attractiveness of a pink Lure Module.

Instead of hanging around outside a bar, it’s much more convenient to just head inside, buy a few drinks, and catch some Pokemon until the Lure Module expires. And then repeat the entire process again

 

About the author

Zhiqing Wan

Zhiqing is the Reviews Editor for Twinfinite, and a History graduate from Singapore. She's been in the games media industry for nine years, trawling through showfloors, conferences, and spending a ridiculous amount of time making in-depth spreadsheets for min-max-y RPGs. When she's not singing the praises of Amazon's Kindle as the greatest technological invention of the past two decades, you can probably find her in a FromSoft rabbit hole.

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