For some gamers who have seen physical results, their motivation for playing the game was never fitness related. As the game originally launched as a Gameboy game nearly 20 years ago, nostalgia has been part of the draw.
For Stephanie Wyper, 25, exercise was not a factor when she dove into the Pokémon GO world. Rather, it was her long love of Pokémon that got her playing. Since she started, she’s noticed improvements in her autoimmune disease and joint movement, as well as boosted serotonin levels. Pre-Pokémon she didn’t work out at all.
“The first weekend the game came out, I walked six miles,” she said.
For others the draw may be purely social, giving people a new way to connect with those around them and build camaraderie, said Abby C. King, a Professor of Health Research & Policy and Medicine at Stanford University’s School of Medicine.
“For instance, parents have reported that they provide a means for spending some fun time with their kids,” King said.
It’s this aspect, in addition to the fitness, that helped the app secure its award by the Finland Outdoor Association, which praised its ability to bring “generations together since children and young people as well as parents and other adults have been enjoying the game outside.”
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Wyper said she has personally made many new friends while playing Pokémon GO.
While it’s the game of the year, it’s not without its shortcomings. Numerous injuries have been reported due to players becoming too immersed in their augmented worlds. Following common sense, paying attention to surroundings, and not using the app while driving could have prevented many of the incidents.
Safety incidents aside, Pokémon GO’s popularity and success will probably prove to be a gateway for similar fitness-related apps. Barnett said he would definitely seek out more games like this.
“This type of gaming – getting people outside to play more – is just the beginning,” he said. “This game will revolutionize the way gaming mobile is done forever. Pokémon GO did more for child obesity in a month than Michelle Obama did in 5 years.”