Mood Meter: Is it uncool to be mad about Pokemon Go?

August 8, 2016

The Nintendo-owned virtual reality game has created quite a stir worldwide as the crazy obsession to ‘catch em all’ has resulted in a number of bizzare incidents being reported. From driving while playing the game to a CBS Boston report claiming how a Pokèmon Go player discovered a dead body while searching for Pokèmon. This is not the first time that a gaming app has taken over the lives of people (Farmville and Candy Crush). We asked a cross-section of Puneites (including Pune365 expert psychiatrist Dr Manish Bajpayee) if we should be worried about the mad craze for Pokèmon Go? Or just let it be as it will fade away like we have seen in the past with games like Farmville and Candy Crush?

Ajay Parge (gaming expert): I strongly believe there is no need to worry about security concerns regarding sharing our maps while playing Pokémon Go. I think the Augmented Reality (AR) technology used in this game is a driving force for making people go crazy. This game interacts in real-time with every player’s surroundings. It is the first real-time personalised game ever made, so it has direct connect with each and everyone. I think Pokémon Go as a game might fade away in the future just to be replaced with many more other innovative games with AR, where players get more and more immersed into the virtual world.

Aryan Sethi (student): Honestly, let them have their fun as long as they are kept in check. It is a trending game for all ages. But if the players go overboard, it may be a major problem. For example, I have seen places where hundreds of people just block the traffic because of the game. There have also been muggings, kidnappings and various other criminal activities due to it. So I say it’s fine as long as it’s kept in check.

Janine Dias (student): On whether we should be concerned about the whole craze, I don’t think so. Everything has its pros and cons. I’ve always wanted to be a Pokémon trainer, and this game gives the perfect opportunity to do so. We just need to be smart about how we decide to play it, you don’t see Ash and the others trespassing into others homes just to catch Pokémon, do you? Not sure as to how long would the craze for Pokémon Go last, it may just be another fad like the other games or maybe it’s here to stay for long.

Dr Manish Bajpayee (psychiatrist): The Pokémon Go game is a craze not just with the children but adults as well. I feel that the craze for it needs to be restricted and controlled. If the game is played for an adequate amount of time it can also improve your vigilance skills. But, again anything addictive is not good.

Rugwed Deshpande (advertising professional): All landmark games have given some beautiful memories to their loyal fans. Craze of games may fade but its loyal fan base remains intact for two to three decades or more. In case of Pokémon Go, it is the reincarnation of Pokémon franchise and is famous within youth who were in their teens 15 years ago. What is interesting in case of Pokémon Go is that it is outdoor and AR. The Pokémon Go format is going to stay and will evolve into something more interesting. With the use of location and wearable technology with Augmented Reality we might see more challenging games and versions of Pokémon Go.

Sangeeta Sethi (Aryan’s mother): I have two children aged 14 and 21 years old respectively. My younger one is at such a stage in life that he gets easily distracted by computer games. I have been a little concerned but I feel this craze will not last for long as this needs going out and spending time outdoors. My older daughter plays the game as well, but she’s at a stage where she understands her priorities so I am not worried about her.