Pokémon resurgence

By Tyler Cottle, ’18, Staff Writer

When looking for a new game on one’s phone, the App Store produced one that connects with most college students.

In the summer, Niantic and the Pokémon Company made an app that allows people to capture their own Pokémon. Originally, one could only play Pokémon on a Nintendo product console or trade the cards that were made. But that’s all changed.

Pokémon cards and games were first introduced in 1995; games were introduced in the U.S. in 1998. People could battle each other with the cards one collected or one could play the video game and try to beat all the gyms. With this new app, people now can play Pokémon on their phone. And they can play it right here at LVC.

LVC alum and assistant football coach Tyler George explains how he got into Pokémon.

“I was 8 years old and I got a Gameboy and Pokémon Blue,” George said. “I played it all the time, and then I collected the cards and watched the show.”

Pokémon Go is becoming more popular with kids, teens and college students. When playing the game, one has to walk around to try and find the Pokémon that are nearby. There are 151 Pokémon that one can catch to be able to catch them all.  Admittedly, some are only found in certain regions.

Not only can people catch Pokémon, they can also go to Poke Stops and collect items in their bag. The Poke Stops can give out Poke Balls and Pokémon eggs, as well as healing items.

The Pokémon eggs have distances that one has to walk to be able to hatch them. These eggs can range from two, five and ten kilometers. Once a person walks the needed distance, the egg will hatch and give one a Pokémon.

When a person reaches level five in the game, one can pick a yellow, red or blue team. The names are: Red-Valor, Yellow-Instinct and Blue-Mystic.  These teams play a big part in the game because there are gyms in the game.

When a person on a team takes over a gym, he or she puts a Pokémon in the gym and other people on that team can put their Pokémon in the gym. When another person from a different team comes to take the gym, he or she has to battle the Pokémon in that gym to take it over.

For Jared Kramp, a sophomore business administration major, it’s about convenience.

“The fact that I can play one of my favorite childhood games on the go,” Kramp said.

At LVC, there are many Pokestops on and around campus. Also, there are three Pokémon gyms that are on campus.

Play on.

tjc004@lvc.edu