Pokémon Go craze hits UB

The latest craze in mobile gaming has hit UB. And how!

Hundreds of Pokémon Go players have flocked to the UB North and South campuses in search of Pokémon since the game was released last Thursday.

The North Campus in particular is a popular spot for Pokémon hunting.

For the uninitiated, Pokémon Go is a free game for iPhones and Android smartphones in which players catch and train virtual creatures called Pokémon. The game uses the phone’s GPS to make Pokémon appear on the phone screen as if spotted in the real world — a concept known as “augmented reality.”

When a Pokémon is spotted, the game opens up the smartphone’s camera, providing a view of the Pokémon in the real world. Players then flick a “Pokéball” toward the creature to capture it.

As players move through their environment, they also can discover “Pokéstops” where they can gather more Pokéballs or other items used in the game.

Once Pokémon are trained, players take them to “gyms” to battle other Pokémon.

Local players have been exchanging tips on Pokéstops on Buffalo’s Reddit feed, and UB is cited as one of the best places in the area to play Pokémon Go.

Faculty, staff, members of the public and, of course, UB students were spotted looking for Pokémon on campus Sunday and Monday.

University Communications staffer Kristen Kowalski and her son, Matt, were among the players on the North Campus on Sunday. Kowalski estimated they saw between 70 to 100 people within about an hour and a half. “And only about five of those didn’t seem to be playing,” she said.

There are several Pokéstops in the area between the Center for the Arts and Slee Hall, she said, noting that at one point about 30 people had gathered in the shade under a tree to catch Pokémon and exchange information on other stops on campus.

“Everywhere we went we saw people with their phones out, walking around. We knew they were playing,” she said.

Players interviewed by the UB Reporter said one of the best features of the game is how it encourages people to get outside and see the world in a new way.

“I had always known that there was a bike path on North Campus, but I never checked it out until this weekend when I went to look for Pokémon there,” said Jobin Joseph, a computer science major. “It was really nice!”

Added Kowalski: “I logged almost 17,000 steps yesterday (Sunday) alone, all in search of Pokémon. And I caught a Pikachu!”

As Pokémon Go players converge on campus, University Police and UB’s Office of Environment, Health and Safety remind them to be aware of their surroundings in the real world as they enjoy the game.

“There are a number of news reports of injuries to players who fell or ran into something because they were overly engrossed in the game,” says Joe Raab, director of environment, health and safety. “There are also isolated reports of people being victimized by scams and other criminal activity while playing the game.

“The principles for playing the game safely are generally the same as for all smartphone use: be aware of who and what is around you as you engage in your activities,” Raab says. “By all means, don’t play the game near campus roads and other areas with traffic.

“Also, remember that it is illegal to be distracted while driving in New York State,” he says. “And lastly, employ the basic safety rules that you were taught as a kid, such as paying attention while crossing in a crosswalk and being wary of strangers.”