{"id":28851,"date":"2016-07-27T15:00:55","date_gmt":"2016-07-27T20:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs2.davenportlibrary.com\/reference\/?p=28851"},"modified":"2016-07-31T16:20:42","modified_gmt":"2016-07-31T21:20:42","slug":"pokemon-go-go-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.davenportlibrary.com\/reference\/pokemon-go-go-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon Go: A Guide for the Late Adopter (Updated)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Pokemon-Red-2-Blue-2\"Unless you’ve been living inside a red and white ball, you’ve probably heard of Pok\u00e9mon Go<\/em>. The original Pok\u00e9mon RPG (role-playing game) video game was released way back in the ancient times of\u00a01996. Beginning as a game for the original Game Boy, it quickly expanded into card trading games, TV shows, movies, more video games, and even a Monopoly board game.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0happen to be like me and only just now catching up (or you want to know what all the kids are doing) here are some questions and answers.*<\/p>\n

So\u00a0what the heck is\/are Pok\u00e9mon?<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

The name is a combination of the words “pocket monster.” Players – called “trainers” – find and collect wild Pok\u00e9mon, and help them evolve into new Pok\u00e9mon. Trainers also battle their Pok\u00e9mon, using their Pok\u00e9mon’s unique characteristics, \u00a0gaining experience points, to become Gym Leaders and ultimately, the\u00a0chance to become a tournament champion.<\/p>\n

What is Pok\u00e9mon Go?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Pok\u00e9mon Go<\/em> is a “free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile game.”<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0387\"
Eevee in the large print section!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eh?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It’s a game that you can play on your phone or other mobile device that places you (via your avatar)\u00a0within the game based on your location, superimposing the game world onto the real world.<\/p>\n

The company that created Pok\u00e9mon Go<\/em> used location data (landmarks, photos, etc.) from another of their games, Ingress<\/em><\/a>, to create the world within the game. So, if you happen to be standing outside Davenport Public Library Eastern Branch, then that’s where you are in the game.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why are all these people standing around outside staring at their phones? It’s a little creepy.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Right?<\/p>\n

That’s the augmented reality part of the game. While you see people glued to their phones in an empty field, outside a building, or wherever, they’re actually experiencing the location within the game.<\/p>\n

Lots of public places have been made into important locations in the game (more on that later). Players must be within a certain distance to interact with whatever is at\u00a0the location. And since the game is so popular, some locations have experienced very high traffic. For some businesses (and libraries!) this has been a boon. For other locations, not so much.<\/p>\n

Just be glad you’re not this guy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0400\"Isn’t this game dangerous?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s true that there have been some horror stories – true and not – about people getting hurt, lost, or finding some terrible things while tracking Pok\u00e9mon. The most important thing to remember when playing is to pay attention to your surroundings. Believe me, it can be hard. But, the game offers vibration and sound alerts so you can keep your phone in your pocket while you walk. USE THEM \u00a0– or be eaten by\u00a0Gyarados!<\/p>\n

And it should go without saying, don’t play and drive.<\/p>\n

I heard that Pok\u00e9mon Go\u00a0is reading players’ emails …<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Not exactly. The concern is that players who created their accounts by linking their Google\/Gmail accounts were granting very broad access<\/a> to their accounts. That has since been fixed, but if you’re still concerned, sign up with a Pok\u00e9mon Trainer Club ID<\/a> – it takes a little longer, but you won’t have to worry.<\/p>\n

Do I really have to walk?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yup – that’s the “go” in Pok\u00e9mon Go<\/em>! If you want to get cool new Pok\u00e9mon and hatch eggs you will be walking. The game can tell the difference between\u00a0riding\u00a0in a car or even biking fast. But it’s a good thing! You get to experience new places you might never have seen before! Meet new people! Exercise!<\/p>\n

Unless you have a Roomba, a turntable or a cooperative pet<\/a>, that is.<\/p>\n

OK, so how to I start?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Firstly, down the game from the App Store or Google Play. Once it’s up and running, sign in using you Google ID, or get a Trainer Club ID.<\/p>\n

When you choose your trainer name and appearance, be careful! You CANNOT change either after you confirm!<\/p>\n

UPDATE 7\/31\/16<\/strong><\/em> – An update for Pok\u00e9mon Go!<\/em> (1.1.0) now allows trainers to change the appearance of their avatars!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0411\"
Capturing the wild Venonat<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now what?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

After Prof. Willow’s introduction, you’re dropped into a fairly\u00a0sparse\u00a0map. Your surroundings should reflect major aspects in your surroundings, like roads, rivers\/lakes, buildings and so on.<\/p>\n

On the screen, you’ll see what looks like green confetti or leaves nearby. Those are Pok\u00e9mon! Once you get close enough (your trainer’s radius is the pulsing purple circle around you) the Pok\u00e9mon will reveal themselves. Tap on them, and you’ll go mano a Pok\u00e9mon.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Tossing the Pok\u00e9 Ball correctly takes some practice. If you find the “virtual reality” setting too distracting, you can turn it off by sliding the AR switch at the top. \u00a0The higher the Pok\u00e9mon’s CP (combat points) the more difficult it will be to catch. The rings around the Pok\u00e9mon will give some idea how where and when to toss the Pok\u00e9 Ball. When it’s large and green, toss! Yellow\u00a0rings mean it will be more tricky, and orange\u00a0even more so. Pok\u00e9mon with higher CP (100+) will often break out of the Pok\u00e9 Ball and you’ll have to catch them again. Sometimes, they’ll grow weary of your attempts and run away.<\/p>\n

Pok\u00e9mon can break out?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, once you catch one, it tries three times to get out. If they can’t escape, you get to keep them.<\/p>\n

That’s … a bit grim.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0401\"
Eastern Avenue Branch \/ Gym<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What’s up with Pok\u00e9Stops and Gyms?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pok\u00e9Stops are where you can pick up more Pok\u00e9 Balls, and an occasional bonus item, like reviving potion, eggs, razzberries and so on. Pok\u00e9Stops are usually located at some kind of landmark (although the term “landmark” is used loosely). You have to be within a certain distance to interact with them.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you may see a Pok\u00e9Stop surrounded by pink confetti or petals. That means that some kind soul has set a lure and, hopefully, more Pok\u00e9mon will come close enough to catch.<\/p>\n

Gyms are where trainers can pit their Pok\u00e9mon against each other in battle to win the Gym, earn points and train up their Pok\u00e9mon. You have to reach level 5 to enter and view a gym.<\/p>\n

What Team should I pick?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

That’s entirely up to you! If you have friends playing, you might want to choose the same team so that you can gain and keep control of Gyms. Or, if you live near a Gym that is consistently held by one team, you can join them and help defend it.<\/p>\n

<cough>Team Mystic <cough><\/em><\/p>\n

How do I identify and keep track of all the Pok\u00e9mon I’ve caught?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the game, tap on the Pok\u00e9 Ball icon, then tap “Pok\u00e9mon” from there you can see the Pok\u00e9mon that you’ve caught, see how much CP they\u00a0have and evolve and power up. The Pok\u00e9dex is like a Rolodex (GET IT?) for the Pok\u00e9mon you’ve seen and collected. It gives descriptions, strengths and weaknesses and each Pok\u00e9mon’s evolutionary pattern.<\/p>\n

Where are some places that I can go to catch Pok\u00e9mon?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Davenport Public Library Main and Fairmount Branches are Pok\u00e9Stops , and Eastern Avenue is a Pok\u00e9Stop\u00a0and<\/em> a Gym.<\/p>\n

If you’re over 21, you can participate in the Quad Cities Pok\u00e9mon Go Pub Crawl<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to David Heitz<\/a>, \u00a0the downtown Moline riverfront, Rock Island arts and entertainment district, the Village of East Davenport and Avenue of the Cities are good places to find Pok\u00e9mon.\u00a0In Davenport,\u00a0Vander Veer Park is a very popular place!<\/p>\n

You can also check out the Pok\u00e9mon Go QC Reddit <\/a>for tips and maps.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0408\"
Tracking … not so much<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What about the tracking thing in the bottom right hand corner?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

That is supposed to tell you what Pok\u00e9mon are in the area, and allow you track them. Unfortunately, the tracking feature does not work well<\/a>.\u00a0But it’s nice to see what’s in your vicinity.<\/p>\n

UPDATE 7\/31\/16<\/strong><\/em> – An update for Pok\u00e9mon Go!<\/em>(1.1.0) has removed the footprints from the “Nearby” menu, presumably until they can get it work properly.<\/p>\n

What the heck do I do with all these Rattatas, Pidgeies, and Weedles!?!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though it can get annoying, it’s worth it to keep collecting the common Pok\u00e9mon. The more you have, the more candy and stardust you get (which you use to evolve your Pok\u00e9mon). If you have too many, you can transfer them to Prof. Willow and get one Pok\u00e9mon candy in return.<\/p>\n

The game isn’t working, and\/or my battery is dead.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, you’re not the only one. Pok\u00e9mon Go \u00a0<\/em>has been plagued with slow and broken servers since it was released. It also uses up wireless bandwidth, so slow internet connections are also to blame. If you’re wondering if it’s you or the game server, try here: http:\/\/cmmcd.com\/PokemonGo\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The game also has some battery saving settings, too. But remember that you must have the game open if you want alerts and to count your steps. Bring a charger!<\/p>\n

I need more information!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n