Hunting Monsters!

By Rolo B. Cena

Random

Dumaguete Star Informer

August 21, 2016

They occasionally thrive in throngs where people wouldn’t go that far.  Most of the time, they meet in places where multitudes converge in complication with space and opportunity.   Normally, they inhabit in places where celestial connectivity abounds in full gear that is responsive to their demands or their norms.  And these creatures are hunted by none other than the earthly bodies whose weaponries are extraordinarily simple in form but high profile in substance.

Yes, you are right!  This is the Pokemon Go.

Pokemon Go, the latest craze to hit several countries including ours is an interactive online game that allows players to capture, trade and battle virtual creatures called pocket monsters, or simply, “pokemon.”  It is played on mobile devices that have global positioning system (GPS) and Internet connection.  Players usually track these monsters down in shopping malls, schools, city landmarks, streets, comfort rooms, churches, and in places where you won’t expect – cemeteries.

Let’s have an ounce of trivia here.

A GPS, or global positioning system, is a device that is capable of receiving information from GPS satellites; it is capable of accurately calculating the geographical location of a certain object or someone.  The first GPS was originally developed for use by the United States military but in the 1980s, the US Government allowed the system to be used for civilian purposes.  And so the smartphones capable of tracking using the GPS was subsequently designed, manufactured and born.

Back to the monstrous game!

With its dramatic entry into the country’s workplaces, schools and households, employers, teachers and parents start to become anxious and annoyed about it.  For one, employees who become addicted to the game no longer concentrate in their works and are oftentimes found hanging out in their mobile phones in the middle of the day in the guise of either checking messages from clients or contracting business contacts.  Two, students leave their classrooms in the guise of comforting themselves at the lavatories.  Three, parents frantically worry on kids’ late return from school or on the sudden disappearances of kids from the house, especially in the middle of the night. 

However, like any other game, there is one relief the employers, teachers and parents have to ponder upon:  The game may contribute to the development of at least three competence while playing the game:  Focus, Acuity and Tenacity. 

Focus:  Because the game is designed to be interactive with the use of GPS, players have to focus on the screen of their smartphone devices to track down these virtual monsters lurking in the nearby Pokestops.  Players in fact have to be conscious of the physical and social terrain of the Pokestops of the gyms, the element of time available for the catch, and the compelling behaviors of co-players that may affect their stand in the catch.

Acuity:  Players develop the skill of keenness.  Attention to details of each PokeStops and gyms, the features surrounding the stops, time element and the biases of co-players in the race is another major consideration.  Quick-wittedness maybe too superlative to say but in virtual game, this is of critical importance.

Tenacity:  The determination of the players to capture and trade pokemon is of paramount consideration.  For what profit a player if he joins the race but captures nothing; worse, trades nothing in return.  A tenacious player is somebody who does not settle for less.  This is precisely the reason why players go out of their comfort zones – even reaching places like dark alleys, condemned buildings and cemeteries just to catch these monsters.

On the other hand, there are drawbacks that netizens and experts of the social law and order have noticed.  In fact, statistics support these claims.  There are claims for losses, rudeness in the behaviors and rising numbers of criminality since Pokemon Go has gone globally crazy weeks ago. 

Loss:  There are registered losses of mobile phone units, lives and other valuables.  Recently, it was reported that in Venezuela, about 500 lost their lives to robbers for refusing to handover their mobile phones while tracking for monsters.  Although the violence in Venezuela is caused by the current economic crises brought about by the decline in the oil prices in the world market, but experts believe that this is highly probable to happen elsewhere. Players therefore are advised not to hunt in unsafe, closed or dark places.

Rudeness:  The culture of Fun is no longer the name of the game.  Players tend to be rude at times just to capture these monsters.  Mosques, temples, churches and other places of worships become Pokestops that experts and lawmakers believe that the game becomes inappropriate and thus found it rude.  Players already forget to respect the rules and regulations of these places all because of these monsters.  Players are advised not to hunt in crowded places as they may hurt someone in the area, too.

Criminality:  Since this has become a global craze, everyone now is going crazy about the game.  In fact, more are leaning towards becoming active players.  While the number of active players increases, the number of robbers and snatchers increases in direct proportion with the pokemon related crimes globally.  While this may not be true to the country today in terms of numbers, safety experts believe that this may lead to the same experience soonest.   For what are predators without preys?

In tracking them down, please be safe!  Hopefully, you can hunt down real monsters in the dark hallways of the greed-inspired chambers of the government!  Numbers abound!