This Pokemon go thing

When my GD arrived yesterday the first thing she said was " nana there is a Pokemon in your house" it was on the sofa in the living room. Did I feel chuffed ? Did I even understand what she meant!!
I had a lecture about selling some for eggs, once again no wiser.

There were some youngish men on the train the other day who were obviously caught up in this Pokemon thing. I thought it was rather sad - and worrying - that seemingly intelligent people who could be doing something creative and worthwhile are devoting so much time and energy to a silly game and, in effect, enslaving themselves even more to their mobile phones.

A couple of men fell off a cliff the other day doing this - fortunately they survived.

Yes, but with lots of bells and whistles like the gyms where tribes do battle, etc.!

Sort of virtual geocaching.

Elegran I wondered if geocaching was the the basis of the idea for the game.

Jalima Pokemon are pocket monsters, invented by the Japanese and they were a card game in the 80s. There are loads of them, all with names and differing characteristics. Pokemon Go is the 21st century version.
Don't think you are meant to eat them!

So what on earth is a Pokemon and what do you do with one if/when you find it?

Is it edible?
If not, not interested

It sounds a bit like Geocaching, but without the physical presence of the cache. It will probably snowball in the summer holidays, then die down a bit until the next hols.

Just talked to my son about this. He says it is early days and it will get bigger given the school holidays are coming up. So prepare to be dragged around searching for Pokemon.

Yes, I saw it on our local news sunseeker, they played a recording of the numpty person and she sounded quite panicky. Got short shrift from the operator.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-36825934

There was a report yesterday that someone had telephoned 999 to complain someone had stolen her Pokemon!!!

Oh come on it's a game. All games and things from the internet should always be monitored by parents. On the plus side it gets kids off the settee and out walking. GS is hooked. DIL complained they were dragged out by him on Sunday for a long walk (usually it's the other way around). Coming to my house yesterday he missed the bus(accidentally of course) and walked all the way (he did ring to let me know). I think it's great.

jogginggirl

Did anyone else see the One Show tonight? There was a piece about it on there, but I had the sound off so didn't hear it all. Someone from the NSPCC was saying there's no safeguards for children built in to the game. I think she was saying something along the lines of concern about children going off on their own and also the risk of keeping their eyes on the screen. She did have a point, but I don't know what the developers can do. Games come with age certification (like films), but that's about content. Pokemon Go has a PEGI 3 rating, meaning it is suitable for age 3 and older. Perhaps this is the first time a game involves playing outside and the safety of players needs looking at asap.

Ermmm.... I'm never going to be a an expert Wilma - i did my best to avoid it all weekend.... Fortunately we live out in the sticks and so there not many pokemans to be found. However, every time we ventured out in the car it was a nightmare.... I do try to keep up with these crazes but I'm going to do my best to avoid this one and hope it goes the same way as loom bands.... LOL ??

I think it is good. As with everything else there are downsides though.
Agree with HannahLoisLuke about vulnerable people having to be careful when it is a Pokemon gym?

I have reports from a school where kids are going the long way around to classes to find the Pokemon!

Its definitely in the UK DD has downloaded it as has DS girlfriend. I think it ridiculous myself. My DGD is being baptised tomorrow and I really hope no one tries to "play" this during the ceremony. I would be mortified if it turned into a game!

You made me laugh out loud Absent - I'm sorry but I couldn't for the life of me work out why you might think someone might play this game at a funeral ?

It made me visualise the solemn scene as the curtains begin to close and a small child( or a big one) rushes down the aisle shouting' Stop!! There's a Pokémon in there !!!'

Sorry probably totally inappropriate but we're talking about a game here , probably a fad that will pass quite quickly because its no more than collecting digital stickers. I don't think the world will end in the short time children will be engaged.

I know nothing about this game, but I think there are places where playing games – whatever kinds of games they are – is not appropriate. I think that there are places – say, your grandfather's funeral, your dad in ITU or your big sister's wedding – where it is not courteous or right to access your phone, Facebook or an electronic game. Old fashioned? Probably.

My son and GD called in this evening. They had been out for ages playing this game and found a Pokemon in my house! ?
OH is now worried that we will have strange people knocking on the door. Anyway father and 4 year old daughter were having a great time.

Like all fads this too will pass.

You might end up as our resident expert! ?

Oh heavens above - the first thing DGD1 asked me when she arrived was - "Grandma, will you download Pokeman Go, so that I can play ...? I said - hello ????????? (name of DGD1) I don't have the first idea of what you are talking about... She wandered off into the garden (with daddy's phone) and came back 15 minutes later to tell me that she had found 4 pokemans...??!! Oh fab I said ... it's time for dinner now ...??? Then her father announced that at the age of 40 he was too old to take part in PokeGo ... I registered my disinterest there and then and retired to my wine ....??
DGD1 connected later during the bedtime routine but I fully expect PGo to figure quite highly in our weekend ahead ... I'll keep you informed ...???

Thanks, I wondered if there would be in-App purchases.

You can make in app purchases but my little ones aren't impatient to progress they just like playing.i believe in the US there are physical shops for merchandising as well as digital outlets .

I think so too and might download it. If it's free how do the makers make money? Through merchandising maybe?

Sounds great!