What is Pokemon Go?

Well unless you have been living under a rock for the past 3 weeks, then you have heard something about Pokemon Go. But what exactly is Pokemon Go? Pokemon Go is an application (app)/game for your smart phone. In the game, your goal is to catch all of the Pokemon that are available here in the US.

What is a Pokemon?

A Pokemon is a creature that "lives along side us". The cartoon became popular in the late 1990's. Pikachu was the most popular Pokemon at the time. 

How many Pokemon can you catch?

Currently you can catch 147 Pokemon here in the US.

How do you "catch" a Pokemon?

Pokemon are caught by trapping the Pokemon in a Poke' Ball (Great Balls and Ultra Balls are available in the higher levels of the game). You trap a Pokemon in the ball by using your finger to "toss" the ball and hit the Pokemon. And if it stays in the ball, it will be caught.

How do you find a Pokemon?

Pokemon can appear at any time and in anyplace (while you have the game up on your screen)

This is why you will see people walking around with their head down looking at the cell phone. There is also a legend at the bottom right corner that tell you what Pokemon are nearby. 

Once a Pokemon appears on the screen, tap it and then you will be able to try and catch it.

You can also use incense (an in app item) to attract Pokemon to you or you can use a lure (an in app item) to draw Pokemon to a Pokestop.

What is a Pokestop?

The designers of the game have placed Pokestops in different places around the city. Most of these places are historical like, Hadley Park, Fisk University and Centennial Park. When you see a blue square on your map/game that is a Pokestop. These stop provide players with items that can be used in the game. Once you are close enough to the stop it when turn in to something that looks like a target. Tap on the stop (it will give you information on the site) and then spin the stop with your finger and goodies will appear.

That's the basics of the game.

Other tidbits of the game:

You have to choose 1 of 3 team to play on (Teams don't really come into play until level 5)

When you get to Level 5 you can join (same team gym) , fight and takeover gyms.

You can power up your Pokemon with candy (points for the particular creature that are accumulate by catching Pokemon) and stardust.

You can also evolve Pokemon using the candies.

You can hatch eggs in the incubator by walking. (Once again why you see people with the head down staring at their phone)

Stay tuned for tips