Pokemon Go explained for those who do not Pokemon Go

If you don't know, then you probably should just Go, already.

Pokémon Go is a free mobile game app for iOS and Android, and is the latest installment in the 20-year-long Pokémon franchise, developed by Niantic, which is co-owned by Nintendo. Players roam around the real world to capture fictional Pokémon creatures. When a player encounters a Pokémon, they can view it in an Augmented Reality (AR) background, making it appear as if the Pokémon are really there in front of them. Another aspect of the game is its social component: users travel to popular meeting places such as cafes, monuments and parks to collect items at Poke Shops and battle each other at Pokémon Gyms.

Within the first five days, the app has been downloaded more than 7.5 million times, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. Similar Web reports that there are more installs of Pokémon Go on Android than Tinder, and players use the app, on average, 43 minutes a day. That's more than WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook Messenger.



So many people are playing, the game's servers are constantly crashing.



Nintendo saw a 36% stock increase two days after the game's release adding $7.5 billion to its market value, and Sensor Tower reported that the app has been generating about $1.6 million of revenue per day with in-app purchases.

The game is also becoming a distraction to drivers as players attempt to catch Pokémon while driving by key locations. Both the Washington Department of Transportation and Tennessee Highway Safety advised fans to play safely, and not while driving.




Though on a more uplifting side, many users claim the game has been positive toward their mental health, and encouraging them to be more social.