Toronto has caught on to the latest Pokemon craze it seems.
Though not yet officially available to Canadians, gamers interested in jumping on the craze have managed to download the game by switching their phone’s location to countries that have had the game since July 6 – the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.
Played on a smartphone with the use of the player’s GPS, real-life surroundings like Queen Street, Spadina Avenue, Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue have become battlegrounds for capturing Pokemon and fodder for endless social media postings of the animated critters on familiar landmarks.
The app is currently rated number one in Apple’s Top Free Apps. Narcity.com has already listed 20 popular playing locations that include Billy Bishop Airport and the Eaton Centre.
The first Canadian meet up is set to happen at the CN Tower Monday night. It is expected to begin at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by a group of players called Team Valor.
The game has also led to some disturbing developments in the real world. Four teens in Missouri used Pokemon GO to lure victims to a spot where they could rob them. In another instance, a woman said she found a dead body while playing Pokemon Go near a river in central Wyoming.
Here in Canada, a Toronto man was one of the first to test Pokemon Go in Canada on Friday.
Matee Moshkovits, 39, an IT and security consultant and self-proclaimed nerd, said the game was similar to location-based game “Ingress.”
Moshkovits compared the game to capture the flag, but “rather than having flags, they have Pokemon gyms and Pokemon stations where you have to basically … to find new pokemon.”
“You get points for walking. You get points for finding Pokemon,” Moshkovits said. “You get points for battling other Pokemon.”
Moshkovits had some tips for new players:
Pay attention to your cellphone plan: Moshkovits said using data, GPS and Bluetooth on your phone can drain battery and be expensive. “You need a very fast and long-lasting battery on your phone,” he said. “You need a big data package. The bill will come and you’re going to be shocked.”
Stick together: Even if you’re going to a meet-up, go with a friend, Moshkovits said. Some organized events are not official or regulated. It can be dangerous if you’re alone in unfamiliar areas.
Have an exit strategy: Be sure to take a break because the game is interactive and sends you notifications to keep you interested. Moshkovits said the game doesn’t pause or turn off. Instead, gamers can play anytime or anywhere. The game technically never ends and players can log thousands of hours.
Keep your cool: Stay hydrated if you’re playing outside in hot weather, Moshkovits said. Since the game can go on for hours, bring water and dress properly.
Beware when playing at night or in potentially dangerous areas: Gamers should not play alone, especially at night, according to Moshkovits. He said, “There are multiple warnings in the game and they’re there for a reason. Be aware of your surroundings.” If approached by security or police, Moshkovits said always explain what you’re doing and cooperate.
