You’ve all heard about Pokémon Go by now – it’s taken the world by storm – in each neighborhood and city. Pokémon Go is a free app available for both iPhone and Android devices that utilizes your real-world surroundings through GPS technology. The app encourages you to get up and go – to explore the nooks and crannies of your own town or city while in search of the virtual creatures many of us have come to know and love, such as Pikachu and Charmander.

Social Connections
After creating and customizing your virtual self, you are placed on a map of your real-life town or city— your very own “Pokémon world.” You can then join a team which promotes friendly competition, encouraging players to interact and create alliances in order to complete tasks, such as taking control of Gyms. Many players design their own team merchandise or purchase apparel through platforms such as Amazon or Etsy to distinguish themselves to other players.

Innovative Retailer Advertising
The game calls for you to walk or bike around your map to find the roaming Pokémon and visit Pokéstops. At these checkpoints, you can collect daily items such as Pokéballs, potions, and eggs.
Retailers can take advantage of Pokémon Go’s GPS technology by identifying themselves as official Pokéstops – which can increase foot traffic to their doors. Retailers have an additional option of purchasing a Lure – an item featured in the app that attracts Pokémon to a specific location – and therefore many game players as well! Discounts can be made to certain teams that arrive at Pokéstops with the hopes of generating more sales.

How Players are Benefiting
In addition to retail discounts, players goals include hatching the Pokémon eggs they’ve found. In order to hatch the eggs, a player must walk or bike 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km – depending on the type of egg. The more kilometers required, the rarer the hatched Pokémon will be. You are truly rewarded for your exercise – with a hatched egg and a healthy workout! Players of all ages and sizes are hitting the streets to hatch these eggs, often walking five miles a day without even realizing it.

The main goal is to “catch ’em all,” as with previous Pokémon games. There are 151 Pokémon to find around your world and add to your Pokédex, either to power up and evolve, or to transfer to the “Professor” for rewards. While some of these Pokémon are common, others are rare and challenging to catch—a feature that has been carried through Pokémon’s multiple gaming platforms.

For long-time Pokémon fans and newcomers alike, this nostalgic but revolutionary app improves the physical and mental health of its players and evokes a sense of camaraderie with teammates and financial gains for retailers.