‘Pokémon Go’ takes over the Franklin Square and Baldwin areas

Pokémon Go, the newest app that is taking this country by storm, has exploded even larger than one might think. For those unfamiliar with the app, or perhaps even with Pokémon in general, it layers the creatures over reality with use of the device’s camera. From there, players can walk around to encounter “Pokémon”, fictional creatures that can be animal, plant, mineral, or other, and attempt to capture them by flicking pokéballs, a tool meant for capturing Pokémon, across the device screen. In addition, certain landmarks (referred to as either Pokéstops or gyms) function as a means for players to get items for in game use or training their caught Pokémon by standing within proximity of said landmarks.

One of the most unique features of this game, and what separates it from many other video games, is that in order to gain the full experience, players actually go outside and explore. The app connects with Google Maps in order to track a player’s position while it is open. In doing so it can track the distance the player travels and change the Pokémon appearance rate to reflect the environment surrounding the player.

The newest craze has not spared the local communities, including Baldwin. Players all over Long Island have been coming out in droves as they pursue their digital pets. The local parks have proven to be favorite hotspots for players as they provide a good number of Pokéstops to set up base at. Sitting down to speak with some of the players, they were asked questions about the game. For the most part, their answers were similar. Most of the players had been playing for at least 2 weeks and were enjoying the game. Most, however, did voice some grievances with the game’s server lagging or the app just randomly crashing. Most of them also responded that the game was getting them outside more often then they used to.

In ‘Pokémon Go’ the player is able to select a team to join upon reaching level five. While the teams differ only in aesthetics, the reasons behind the choice were more varied and interesting. While a fair amount of players chose to join the same team as their friends, others chose them because their family plays the game and they have all decided to join one team. A mother said that the game has been a good activity to do together with her son. Other plays chose their team because celebrities from websites such as YouTube picked that team.

One of the players spoken to, Nicholas of Franklin Square, had a lot of thoughts about the game. He feels like the release of ‘Pokémon Go’ has been very beneficial in regards to local businesses. Nicholas pointed out that many stores and businesses have been labeled as Pokéstops, a location that players would generally flock to. He went on to say that businesses could use this to their advantage by utilizing lures, an in-game item that attracts more Pokémon, to entice players into entering their store and increasing the odds of making a sale. Nicholas related that when visiting the Franklin Square Library for its Pokéstop, he decided to get a new library card while he was there.

Another positive Nicholas brought up was how accessible and nostalgic the game was, mentioning that older lawyers at his firm were playing Pokémon Go. On parting he shared a final comment in regard to the shelf life of the game. He feels that that game is just a passing fad, but he hopes that he is wrong.
Baldwin Public Library is a prominent Pokéstop for people living in Baldwin. Library Director Elizabeth Olesh, a player of the game herself, spoke favorably of its impact on the library.

“I bet if you talked to some people in the library right now, there are people here, playing right now,” she said. “That’s just how it is right now, and I think it’s pretty cool. We’re really happy to be part of it. It’s part of pop culture and that’s a big part of what libraries do.”

The Baldwin Library has taken to embracing their status as a Pokéstop by means such as setting up a group of shelves that promotes and features other Pokémon related materials the library has and making plans for an interactive display for patrons to announce the in-game team that they have joined. Director Olesh hinted at the possibility of badges for said teams being made available. Director Olesh commented that she was glad that their library was a stop as opposed to a gym because a stop sees more visits so that players can get their in-game items.

Olesh stated that some of the reasons she likes the game are because it brings people together and helps people of different ages and groups meet each other through the game interaction. She also liked that the game helps people to learn more about their community and it’s landmarks due to the placement of the Pokéstops.

“We love welcoming people to the library in general and this just, y’know, makes it even cooler, so come on down.” Olesh said.