Pokémon GO is gradually taking over the world and, for some reason, that is offensive and threatening to a great deal of people who are making every effort to treat players with as much disdain as they can.
Before I embark on a takedown of the inevitable but embarrassing snobbery out there, I feel it’s important to add that I haven’t played a second of Pokémon GO. And, somehow despite this, I haven’t yet felt the need to ask anyone why grown adults are playing a game on their phone. Nor have I shot a filthy look at someone engrossed on their phone on public transport. My secret? Well, I’m not a judgemental moron for a start.
Not liking Pokémon GO is absolutely fine and even understandable – it is most certainly not for everyone. Like absolutely every single thing in the world, it can’t be universally adored. But there’s a difference between not partaking in a craze and being unnecessarily scathing about those who do enjoy it.
As inevitable as the sun rising in the east, the craze which has succeeded in getting many a gamer to explore their outside surroundings and also help people socialise more has brought with it the haters who just can’t help but have a pop at the hobby. The main line of argument is that adults shouldn’t be playing games because apparently, they are for kids. Others are scoffing at seeing people mingling in parks collectively seeking to catch a certain Pokémon while a third argument is simply that ‘Pokémon isn’t real, get a life lol’. I don’t feel the need to disarm individual arguments in any great detail given that the counter arguments are obvious and backed up by fact. But to summarise:
1. Gaming is one of the biggest industries in the world and has been proven to help problem solving skills, decrease anxiety and develop motor skills.
2. Gathering together outside is also known as socialising. Just because parties have cans of beer instead of Pokémon, there isn’t a world of difference and the game is helping thousands to make friends over a common interest.
3. Yes, Pokémon isn’t real. Nor is Game Of Thrones, the latest cinematic release, your favourite best selling novel or TV soaps. But real life can be a depressing thing and everyone needs some escapism. One form of fiction isn’t more or less acceptable than another.
It boils down to a superiority complex. Some simply can’t help seeing something be popular and feeling inexplicably above those ‘caught up’ in the craze by mocking them. In actual fact, this is the behaviour that is most immature rather than those simply playing a game.
Remember that when you share that hilarious meme about wanting everyone to shut up about Pokémon, you are opening yourself up to people searching through your social media feeds to find out what YOU talk about. Chances are, you talk about something else that other people don’t like. The difference is, they aren’t attacking or shaming you for it. People enjoying a game doesn’t harm you in any way and something that brings entertainment, helps thought skills, makes the most of technology and gets people of all ages talking with each other, exercising and meeting new people needs to be celebrated, not scorned. When you’re typing up your tweet about seeing a grown man in a suit catching a Pidgey in public (oh, the shame!), take a long hard look at yourself and maybe consider if he is the one with the problem. Nobody should be ashamed of their hobby or interest and, whether you like Pokémon GO or loathe it, it’s not for you to decide what is socially acceptable to enjoy and what isn’t. Live and let live – because the only people who need to ‘get a life’ are the ones who get a kick out of belittling the enjoyment of others.