Pokémon GO: A New Way to Explore the Outdoors?

With the recent release of Nintendo’s smartphone-based augmented reality platform, Pokémon GO, we question the importance of new technology in developing a relationship with the outdoors.

Pokémon GO is finally here.

After weeks of intense speculation, Nintendo launched its much anticipated smartphone-based augmented reality platform to a new generation of PokéMasters, allowing them to discover a whole world of pocket monsters. As well as their own.

Armed with smartphones and a new sense of discovery, trainers have flocked outdoors in their millions to capture their favourite Pokémon monsters and explore the different habitats they might live in.

From rural streets and busy city centres, to lakes, rivers and forests, Pokémon have been appearing across the country and opening people’s eyes to the world around them. It’s not been without a few hiccups, however.

But does the dawn of augmented, alternative reality beckon a new era of outdoor exploration? Can augmented reality applications like Pokémon GO introduce a new generation to the trills of life outdoors?

How Are People Reacting to Pokémon GO?

According to SimilarWeb, The Pokémon GO app has been downloaded well over 1 million times and is already on par with Twitter in terms of its Daily Active User rate. Pokémon GO is also taking up an average of 43 minutes, 23 seconds of a user’s time a day. That’s higher than Whatsapp, Instagram, Snapchat and Messenger.

What Is Pokémon GO and How Does It Work?

Blending computer graphics with live camera video and GPS, Pokémon GO turns the real world into one huge Pokémon treasure hunt - think Geocaching, just with Pokémon.

Localised images and monuments encourage users to interact with their immediate surroundings and communities for a more personalised, alternative reality gaming experience. No more sitting indoors, furiously staring at a Gameboy Advance screen!

There are certain places that are better for finding particular Pokémon than others, though. Water-type Pokémon can be found near rivers, while grass-types can be found in rural fields, for example. Of course, there are some exceptions.

Can Augmented Reality Persuade Future Generations to Explore Outdoors?

So far, it seems that augmented reality is succeeding in a way that virtual reality has not. It’s tapping into an aspect of our nature that is instinctual in us all - our need to explore.

But just as adults are learning about the power of augmented reality as a way to explore the physical world and catch ‘em all, so too are our children.

A quick stroll to the local PokéGym is turning into an hour-long stroll outside, and an adventure to discover different Pokémon-types is helping children to learn and explore real-life animal habitats.

But why did it take the invention of augmented reality to see this upsurge in outdoor exploration?

No matter your stance on the use of technology as a means to attract the younger generations attention, there is no denying that it is working. If this is how we can engage children to take an interest in the outdoors, then we really must embrace it. (Let’s just learn to be aware of our surroundings first!)

The way we explore the outdoors is evolving.

What is your stance on using augmented reality as a means to get children active? Do you think it is a good idea, or do you think we should invest in other ways to get the younger generation outdoors? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages now.