Pokemon Go: Danger or Benefit?
Have you ever wanted to meet a dinosaur? Or maybe you dream of exploring the remains of the Titanic. Perhaps you want to escape into a video game world.
The idea was pure science fiction thirty years ago. Now, modern technology makes our dreams a reality.
The summer of 2016 brought with it picnics, camping trips, and the chance to become a real-life Pokemon trainer. It is hard to forget the excitement of playing Pokemon Go. Groups of people would work together to take down gyms, hunt for rare Pokemon, and train their teams to be the very best. Though the game has lessened in popularity, it remains one of the most-used gaming apps. In October, 2018, Pokemon Go was the fifth top gaming app in the world with 10.81 million visitors.
But how does Pokemon Go work? Using the GPS on your phone, the app creates a real-world map for the player’s character to walk around. As users walk around the real world, various Pokemon appear on the map, which the player can attempt to catch by throwing PokeBalls at them. Pokemon Go is an example of augmented reality (AR), where the digital world (Pokemon) is integrated with reality (your neighborhood). While Pokemon Go brought AR technology into popular culture, Niantic and Nintendo did not create the technology.
In 1968, Professor Ivan Sutherland from the University of Utah published an article detailing his invention: the Sword of Damocles. This device was a head-mounted display, supported by cables suspended from the ceiling. Sutherland’s Sword was the first example of AR and virtual reality. The Sword of Damocles created a simple, virtual environment with graphics detailing the new world using wireframe rooms.
While simple, Ivan Sutherland inspired new technology that merged reality and fiction.
AR has reached new heights since those early days. From exploring the ocean to fighting Power Ranger villains, the technology showcases hidden worlds. With the rapid development of smartphones, AR is no longer relegated to heavy, bulky headsets.
But what is the effect of instantaneous access to AR?
As a wise uncle once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The story of Pokemon Go shines a light on both the dark side of AR and its many benefits.
In its first month, Pokemon Go earned $207 million, making it the highest grossing mobile app ever released. This huge influx of players suddenly thrust AR into the spotlight. While praised for its innovative design, not all the criticism was positive. Police filed a report of a 30-person brawl over Pokemon. In Japan, a man hit and killed a pensioner while playing and driving. Property owners filed harassment claims as players trespassed onto private land looking for Pikachu. According to a study released by Purdue University, a spike in local car accidents were attributed to the mobile app. In one county in Indiana, the game likely caused 2 deaths, 31 injuries, and $500,000 in car damages. If those statistics are extended across the United States, Pokemon Go could be responsible for 256 deaths and 29,000 injuries.
If Pokemon Go and, by extension, other AR games cause so much damage, why are they still around?
The most obvious answer is that the games are a lot of fun. They allow players to bring their favorite worlds into their everyday lives. When asked, most people would be able to tell you their Hogwarts house, starter Pokemon, and favorite Jurassic Park dinosaur. Who wouldn’t want to experience the fantasy and magic for themselves?
A key component of most mobile AR games is moving around outside. In Pokemon Go, players are encouraged to visit Pokemon Gyms and Stops to gain items, interact with other players, and find new Pokemon. Likewise, Jurassic World Alive directs players to follow herds of dinosaurs while Wizards Alive sends players out to research the magical wizarding world. Experts recommend adults exercise at least 30 minutes to an hour everyday. According to a 2012 study conducted by Penn State, American adults average exercising two hours every week. That’s only 0.6 minutes a day! In 2016, players chased Pokemon for 43 minutes every day. In 2019, Niantic announced that players had walked 23 billion km! To put this perspective, the distance between the sun and Pluto is about 5.9 billion km. You would have to walk from the sun to pluto and back again almost two times to reach 23 billion km! Needless to say, AR apps help get adults moving again!
AR mobile apps have done more than improve physical health, they also have a positive impact on mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 47.6 million American adults experience mental illness. In 2018, only 43.3% of adults with mental illness received treatment. Psychology Today reported that one of the leading reasons adults do not seek help is because they thought they could handle it themselves. Still others found themselves to be too busy or didn’t want other people to find out. These barriers can lead to the worsening of symptoms and decreased quality of life.
Enter AR games! According to Dr. John Grohol, “It helps a person not even think of it as helping their mood because it’s not targeted toward their mood. It’s a game.” Improvements in AR games has led to a new form of therapy called Cybertherapy. Therapists integrate technology with traditional forms of therapy. While cybertherapy is only a few years old, it has already demonstrated extreme potential. Researchers have found that AR mobile apps addressed a number of concerns, such as agraphobia (fear of leaving the house), social anxiety, negative thoughts, and depression. Users found that these mobile games gave them a conduit through which to cope with their everyday challenges. AR games introduce players to self-care, exercise, and coping mechanisms in a non-threatening environment. Experts do not intend these games to be used as a replacement for therapy, but the premise and game mechanics mirror their lifestyle recommendations.
Since Pokemon Go’s explosive entrance, AR mobile games have continued to integrate themselves into our everyday lives. Now, fans can live out their fantasies in almost every franchise, from Jurassic World and Harry Potter to horror realities like the Walking Dead and Five Nights at Freddy’s. The journey continues with us as protagonists as we venture into the next chapter of Augmented Reality. Who knows what adventures await us?
