Like most people, I have downloaded Pokémon Go. Many nights, when I walked my dog,  I ran through my neighborhood searching for any Pokémon that would come my way.

It was fun for a few days, and then I just stopped caring. I never played Pokémon growing up, so the nostalgia factor wasn’t there for me. And I already do enough cardio at the gym, so the thought of having to physically work for my Pokémon was not that appealing (even though this is a silly point to make, in hindsight). As a result, the novelty of the game wore off very quickly.

Still, everywhere I go, people are still playing Pokémon Go. That is especially true here on our college campus. Students are enamored of the thought of being one of the first to “catch them all.” But even I must admit that there are ways the game has influenced our campus positively.

One positive is that students can obtain college credit for playing the game. With the start of the new PE-6 walking class this semester, students can get a unit of credit for playing their favorite game. In addition to the credit, students enrolled in the class stay active. That may not be much, but the thought of playing a game one enjoys while earning credit for it can make students look forward to coming to the campus.

Another positive aspect of the game is that it makes students connect more with the landmarks on campus. The school has multiple Pokémon gyms — places where players can battle each other, as well as Pokéstops — places that provide items in the game. Consequently, students are getting to know the campus better and are exploring different areas such as the Art Space Gallery.

The biggest outcome of the Pokemon Go movement is the new interactions between students. This game could help first time students feel more comfortable about being on campus and meeting new people. The game has created an easy talking point between students, and an obvious mutual interest. Overall, it creates a much more positive environment for the student body, and can help students relax during the stressful parts of the semester.

Obviously, the game has its negatives. There have been stories of people getting hit by cars, although I doubt that will happen here on campus. The biggest issue I could see with the game is that students will procrastinate on doing their work due to playing, if they’re obsessed.
Through its engaging gameplay, Pokémon Go could be the unifying force that binds the FCC community toward a common cause.