Pokemon GO: Good or Bad?

The debate has raged - well, not exactly raged so much as existed - since the launch of Pokemon Go. Is it good for the outdoor community? Is it good in general? What's a Pokemon and why are those kids on my lawn?

Luckily you've come to the Portly Hiker today where you'll get answers.

As the game launched yesterday here in Canada I downloaded, strapped on my shoes and headed out for some adventure, for purely scientific reasons of course.  So after spending the morning catching Pokemon I am fully prepared to give you the definitive answer to the question "Is Pokemon Go a good thing?".  And the answer...

... It depends!

I know that's a cop-out answer, but it's true.  It really depends on what you're looking to get from the game that will determine if it's worthwhile.

Simplified, the game is about walking the map of your neighborhood to visit PokeStops, places where you can get pokeballs which you use to catch Pokemon.  It gets you out walking around, meeting people and just being active. As someone who didn't grow up with Pokemon the critters seem odd to me, but walking with a purpose is a great way to encourage activity in people who often don't do anything active.

Some people associate being outdoors with totally disconnecting from technology and being in tune with nature.  If that's your outlook, then maybe Pokemon Go isn't for you. I noticed a few PokeStops on the trail near my home, but the majority of them are in town - not many trees and plants around. More importantly though is that you need your phone in hand to play. If you want to disconnect, it just won't work.

If you look at the outdoors as a place to go and be active, perhaps meet new people, or just spend some time in the sunshine then Pokemon Go is ideal. This game makes people active, plain and simple.  I know this morning I had no intentions of going out walking. I thought I spend the day working around the yard or just relaxing indoors in the A/C. But then I downloaded the game, hit the road and 2 hours and 8 km later I was having a blast and wanted to keep going. More exercise and more time spent outside certainly isn't a bad thing.

So again, it really depends on your stance. If you're a purist that believes in completely disconnecting in nature, Pokemon Go won't be for you.  But if you're in favour of people getting outside and being active there are a lot things to like about the game.

There are some things that concern me though, especially if moving forward PokeStops expand from primarily in town to into the forest and trails. I'm worried about the stewardship of players. If players take to nature they need to do so respectfully and carefully.

A lot of talk has been made about people walking into traffic or hurting themselves playing the game because they aren't paying attention. After playing for close to two hours I can say with a great amount of confidence, it was totally their own fault.  You don't need to walk around staring at your phone.  If you're heading from PokeStop to PokeStop you find your target and go. If there's a Pokemon nearby for you to catch your phone vibrates or makes a sound. There is no reason to be staring at your phone constantly! If you're aware of your surroundings, everything will be fine.

So to sum up, is Pokemon Go a good thing?  And the answer is, it depends.  Only you can decide where your priorities lie.  I do suggest you try the game out to see what it's all about before you make any crass judgements. Be safe, be respectful and be active!