Since mid-June, Pokémon Go has been the ultimate go-to game to beat the summer heat. The augmented reality app has made a world-wide breakthrough within all ages ranging from first grade to the tech-savvy elderly. Friends are hanging out, kids are exercising, and families have found common ground.

Pokémon Go has accomplished something not many have been able to quite grasp: exercise in gaming. While other apps such as Wokamon- Monster Walk Quest and Zombies, Run! have attempted to incorporate physical activity into something fun, Pokémon Go found just the balance in which people can enjoy playing while being on the move. In the game, players are identified as Pokémon trainers, fully-equipped with pokéballs, eggs, potions, incense, and a pokédex to keep track of their captured Pokémon.

As far as being a Pokémon trainer goes, there are a couple components that help bring players together- even for a short moment. Gyms are the main source for interaction as higher level trainers can often be found ready to battle; sometimes players will stand face-to-face as the Pokémon battle, stirring up the heat between each duel. Pokéstops keep the game running as they are real-world locations where players are able to obtain helpful items like potions, pokéballs, eggs- which are beneficial to the Pokémon trainer as they continue their endeavor to becoming elites.

While many have indulged their time hunting with friends, solo, or even a group of other players, the younger kids tend to enjoy Pokémon Go even more so when hunting alongside their parents. A short trip to the grocery store can turn into a two hour adventure as parents will drive their kids around town to look for and capture Pokémon. Senior Class Advisor, Anette Deming, shares, “My 7-year old son never wanted to go to the grocery store with me and now that there are three pokéstops along the way, he’s always the first to volunteer to go with me; it’s great now that I don’t have to go alone, we’re spending time with each other- so we actually have something in common, and we’re sharing that moment, just him and I.”

According to Director of the Games, Learning & Society initiative, Kurt Squire, “Games are a great way to connect with other people. If you want to develop or enhance a relationship with a kid, a grandkid, or just someone, it’s a wonderful thing to do.” Senior class member, Joseph Murillo, shares “My Brother and I would go out late at night just to find Pokémon; sometimes for an hour or 2, but in whole it’s just nice since we wouldn’t usually spend as much time together- yeah, this game made us closer.”

This new form of entertainment has been turned from a simple game, to a new means of communication, bringing togetherness among family and friends- even strangers, as players will commonly speak to one another in hopes of finding a good catch; making a platonic connection along the way.