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Pokémon GO with Monkey Joe

Posted on Jul 22, 2016

Are your kids obsessed with Pokémon GO yet? This interactive game has taken the world by storm and it's easy to see why kids and adults alike are hunting Pokémon, collecting Poké balls, and battling it out for local gyms. Who can resist those cute and crazy creatures bouncing around right in your living room thanks to augmented reality? 

If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, here are the basics. And if you're already a seasoned Pokémon trainer, bring your kiddos and come play Pokémon GO at Monkey Joe's Dulles! Even better, take a photo of a Pokémon at our indoor playground and share it with us on social media. Gotta catch 'em all! 

What is Pokémon GO? 

First, some history. Pokémon (aka "pocket monsters") is a popular and long-running Japanese video game and cartoon franchise. The basic premise is that monsters are out there, and Pokémon trainers are tasked with hunting, capturing, and training them to fight. Trainers then pit their monsters against other players' monsters. 

Pokémon GO is a "freemium" game (free to download, but you can pay real money for in-game bonuses) for iOS and Android that combines this much-loved children's franchise with your phone's GPS and camera to create an augmented reality experience. Basically, Pokémon appear in front of you (overlaid on whatever your camera happens to be pointing at), and you can "track" nearby Pokémon by walking around and following them on map tied to your real-time location. 

Is it safe? 

One of the great things about Pokémon GO is that it encourages players to get moving and walk around outside to play, instead of sitting on the couch like most video games. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the game, there are some safety issues that can arise, especially for kids. Head over to the main Monkey Joe's blog for some great tips to help you and your kids enjoy this game safely.