Pokémon Go – 1 month later
I’ve been playing Pokémon Go since 7-11-16. I’m Level 22, Team Valor (Red).
Observations:
- The spinning circle in the upper left corner is actually an indication of server communication.
- The higher the level, the longer it takes to get to the next level (grind factor).
- The novelty of it has worn off
- As an older adult playing, my Facebook friends could care less if I won my first gym battle.
- Pokemon stops are becoming boring now. Loot is meh. Nothing exciting as it was in earlier levels.
- I have lost weight playing – at least my clothes feel more loose! I have been biking and walking more, as well as going out of my way and taking longer than normal to commute in these manners. Today I burned 900 calories playing for 2 hrs 45 min (combined with running errands on my bike). Another day I burned 1200 calories playing for 3.5 hours biking.
- I now understand that in order to win battles/train, I have to choose a certain type of Pokemon that will be the strongest against the opposition. Some Pokemon (like the birds) are rather useless.
- I’ve spent $17 in the game in bonus eggs and incense. Was it worth it? In hindsight, no.
- Being in an area with Pokemon stops in close proximity + lure modules (that someone else adds and pays for) is the best use of time. Having to walk/bike all around my neighborhood to visit the same number of spots with no lure modules added is not the best use of my time.
- I have become more aware of my surroundings – in part to attention being called to Pokemon stops that I would not normally pay attention to as well as just generally being safe.
- The game has slowed me down to pay more attention to details of my surroundings that lend itself to great photo opportunities I would not have otherwise taken advantage of/noticed/been in the proximity of normally.
- Playing in the car is only a good idea when someone else is driving. There is no advantage in gaining greater mileage covered by driving on the highway.
- Is the game profitable for certain businesses? I’ve been trying to figure out a way to market my client’s yoga studio that is situated in a prime location surrounded by multiple Pokemon stops in close proximity combined with lure modules regularly being added. I think it bringing in customers at restaurants. I can play on a certain rooftop for hours that I wasn’t frequenting prior to the game release.
- I am sure once school starts and it gets colder that players will drop off.
- I think that in order for the game to continue to be sustainable and interesting that they will have to give control to assigning custom (new) Pokemon stops and possibly controlling the type of loot being given from these spots (of course through business payments).
- The situation in Winona, MN has been interesting. The veteran who lost his mind over people playing in the Veteran’s Memorial Park is unjustifiable. A city council member proposed a ban on playing the game in the park, but I don’t see how they can enforce it.
- While in the Winona, MN Veteran’s Memorial park playing, I observed people not littering or being disrespectful as well as some parents taking their kids to the park to play while actually looking at each of the war monuments. I also observed a kid teaching his older parents how the game works in the park.