Top 4 Things You Need To Know About Pokemon Go

Here at the FiftyUp Club office all the water-cooler talk this week has been about Pokemon Go. You have probably seen it mentioned in the news and could care less but in case you have kids or grandkids and want to sound cool..here are the Top 4 things you need to know about Pokemon Go.

1. Pokemon Go is a free-to-play mobile app that you can download for iOS or Android. You have the option to use real money to buy in-game currency called PokeCoins. Those PokéCoins are used to purchase Pokéballs, the in-game item you need to be able to catch Pokémon.
2. The game works by using your phone’s GPS for your real-world location and augmented reality to bring up those cool-looking Pokémon on your screen, overlaid on top of what you see in front of you.  If the timing is right, wild Pokémon leap out at you, giving you the chance to catch them with a Pokéball. When you capture a Pokémon, it gets added to your Pokédex, a sort of Pokémon database. The fun bit is you can go to your local “gym” and battle your Pokémon against other trainers (also real people).

3. Pokestops on the other hand, are usually predetermined landmarks that you can interact with and get items from. Some of these items will further your “ability” as a trainer, or simply draw tons of other excited Pokémon Go players to your location. All in all, Pokémon Go gives you a lot of things to do, but one of the biggest appeals is its social aspect.
4. Downside: it can be a drain on your battery and data. Some cemeteries have banned people from searching for Pokemon out of respect. Don’t go looking for Pokemon in areas where you wouldn’t normally go..like parks at night.