Will Pokemon GO End Sit Down Gaming As We Know It?

If you haven't already heard about Pokemon GO, then you're living under a rock. Or maybe you don't have access to internet or the outside world at all. Regardless, Pokemon GO is a virtual reality game for Android and Apple devices. Players have to physically walk around in order to advance in the game. That being said, let’s look at how Pokemon GO is beneficial to the players AND how it may end traditional sit down gaming.

1.) Pokemon GO is beneficial to your mental health.

How can a video game benefit your mental health? Isn't playing video games bad for you? Well, not necessarily. According to Dr. John Grohol, the founder of mental health network Psych Central, playing Pokemon GO seems to be doing wonders for people’s mental health. This comes from users on Twitter who are admitting that they used to suffer from depression and anxiety, but after playing Pokemon GO they are feeling much better. According to Grohol, “The challenge has always been, if you’re depressed, your motivation level is nonexistent. So, you want to go out and get some fresh air, or even take a shower, and it can be a very difficult thing to even comprehend, much less do. I think the impact of something like this, this game, can really be beneficial.” Coming from personal experience, my mom has a mild form of Asperger's and normally never likes leaving the house unless absolutely necessary. However, since she started playing Pokemon GO, I am now getting at least one text a day from her asking if I want to go play with her at the park down the street.

2.) Pokemon GO is beneficial to your physical health!

With America being the leading country of obesity, we are hoping to see those numbers decrease with the rising popularity of Pokemon GO. Players MUST physically move and walk in order to find and catch Pokemon. The game uses the built-in GPS functionality of the player’s phone to make sure they are actually moving in the real world. They must physically visit “Pokestops” (nearby real-world locations designated in the game) in order to collect “Pokeballs” which are used for catching Pokemon. They must also be physically walking in order to hatch their eggs - which contain new Pokemon.

With that being said, you can't simply sit at home and hope to advance in the game, as it requires physical activity. Now I find myself walking miles everyday looking for new Pokemon and looking to hatch my eggs without even thinking about the fact that I am outside getting exercise.

Now that we've looked at the benefits of playing Pokemon GO, let's stop and think how this game may just change everything we know about traditional gaming. When you think of video games, you might think of a fat, lazy, middle-aged man sitting on his butt in the dark playing World of Warcraft on his computer. Pokemon Go may just change that stereotype. With the huge popularity of Pokemon GO, there’s no doubt major video game companies like Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts are taking notice, and will be implementing this functionality into future video games. Virtual reality where your physical movement is required in the game is the future of video games. Will this mean the end of traditional sit down video game play such as WoW and Call of Duty? Only the gamers of the future can answer this question for us.