What is Pokemon Go? A Quick Guide with Images

Pokemon Go – The Next Big Thing in Mobile Gaming

If you haven’t been living under a rock in the past week or so then you’ve at least heard of Pokemon Go.

Pokemon Go is an interactive game that takes advantage of Augmented Reality to merge the digital world, the real world, and your smart device all together. Want to learn more about Augmented Reality? Read our article on Virtual Reality (VR) vs Augmented Reality(AR) .

Pokemon Go was released in early July in the United States. The mobile game will be rolling out in other nations soon.

 

 

 

How to Play Pokemon Go:
1) Download the app on your smart phone: Android | iPhone
2) Launch the app and register an account (takes less than a minute)
3) Set up your “Trainer” character
4) Find Pokemon nearby and catch them with Pokemon Balls
5) Level up to unlock more features to compete with other players

Sounds too simple to be fun? Don’t knock it till you try it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk around in the real world to find Pokemon characters to catch. They usually don’t just appear in front of you so you will actually have to walk around.

When you see leaves being tossed around, that’s when you know they’re around. Be careful of your surroundings. I have seen kids at the local park wandering around staring down at their phones. It is easy to trip or run into objects when you’re so focused looking down on your phone or tablet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you tap on the Pokemon, the view zooms in.  In the image to the left you’ll notice that the “AR” toggle has been switched off. AR = Augmented Reality. The background is animated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tap the toggle indicated by the red arrow to “ON” and the background switches to the real world via your phone or tablet’s camera. An overlay of info or graphics over the real world is a form of Augmented Reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You must then swipe ball towards the Pokemon to catch it. You have a limited amount of balls so aim carefully. Although, there are other ways to get more balls.

Click on the camera icon (circled in red) to take a screen shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you catch the Pokemon, more details about the character will pop up. The Pokedex is a “rolodex” of all the Pokemon that you have caught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you see these symbols, tap on them to reveal a real world image of an object. Spin the object to release bonus items such as extra Pokemon balls. If you run out of balls you can pay real world money to purchase more. You can also purchase other items like incense. When you “burn the incense”, the fragrance attracts more Pokemon towards you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circled are gyms where you can battle but you must be at level 5. This is where the real fun with other players begin. You can also join teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There it is, Pokemon Go in a nutshell. Give it a try, you might get addicted. But remember to be careful of your surroundings especially when crossing streets. Pokemon Go responsibly.