Pokemon Go gains popularity in Qatar

Pokemon Go is the latest frenzy that has caught worldwide attention since its recent launch on July 5. With easy access to the app on Apple and Android smartphones, people who were not earlier acquainted with the dynamics of Pokemon are catching up on it easily.

Qatar has caught the Pokemon frenzy, even though the game is not available here yet. The tweak comes in the form of people creating new Apple ID’s entering US in the location and by using  the Android version of Android Application Package (APK).

Pokemon started in the 90’s with the concept of harnessing the collecting hobby, as a means to encourage children to go out and play.

What makes this game enticing is the use of map and real locations to track down Pokemon characters. The app is gaining trend not only among children, but in adults as well. The millennials who started playing the original game in the 90’s are catching up on the long-lost excitement in a novel virtual world. And their counterparts may pick up the trend for the sake of giving it a try. The app employs the phone’s camera and GPS to track virtual Pokemon that can appear at any place based in the real location.

The goal of the game is simple; catch as many Pokemon as you can, and train them for battle.

Pokemon Go Qatar groups on Twitter and Facebook have already obtained a following of more than 600 people.

The first 'poke-walk' was being arranged today, with the suggested venue Katara to bring together Pokemon Go enthusiasts from all over Qatar. However, it was cancelled because of the hot weather and technical issues.

Pokemon Go Qatar walk cancelled

Pokemon Go players in Qatar have been running around town in search of little virtual creatures, and even called the game addictive. They found Pokemon characters at the Corniche, Souq Waqif, The Pearl Qatar, Katara, Qatar University, Education City, in some malls and even at the Hamad International Airport.

The Pokemon hunt was on at Katara.

Another player was found catching Pokemon at Katara.

Teams were created to invite players to fun challenges in Qatar.

Pokemon Go Qatar tweets

The world is seeing this latest fad with mixed feelings. One half is of the opinion that it’s a healthy way to incorporate activity and social engagement in an era dominated by virtual engagement and lesser face-to-face communication.

The other half predicted the fallout of the game as dangerous, touting it to be a distracting menace when people walk the streets in search of virtual creatures with their noses buried in their phones. It also poses stalking hazards, criminal traps, accidents, all of which have already happened unfortunately. Armed robbers used the game to lure victims to isolated traps. At least one incident was reported in Missouri. Using the geolocation feature of the game, they were able to anticipate the exact location and level of isolation of their unwitting victims. Accidents have been reported including two men who fell off of an ocean cliff in California in search of Pokemon.

Despite its cons, Pokemon Go seems to be on the rise and will gain even more popularity after its availability in the region. Playing the game responsibly can help promote better safety practices.

Children should be monitored by their parents or responsible adults at outdoor premises, with special supervision while crossing streets and going to crowded places. Adults playing the game should be respectful of places holding religious connotation, like mosques and churches. It’s better to keep the game switched off during any duration of stay in a mosque.

With these dangers and pitfalls kept at bay, Pokemon Go is quite a pleasant phenomenon. It has managed to bring out into the fresh air even the staunchest indoor hermits. That being said, caution must be taken in the Qatar heat while hunting for Pokemon. Keep your hunt limited to the indoor areas, malls and Poke Stops during the day. And keep water handy on an outdoor chase. 

Are you a Pokemon Go player?

Cover photo by ibtimes.com