Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go

Public Domain Image

 

Among my many doll and toy artifacts that make up Dr. E’s Doll Museum are several Pokémon items, stuffed animals, dolls, and sets of cards.  As early as 1998, my students were writing research papers on Pokémon cards and characters.  It is a complicated culture, and the characters have a complicated history.  I won’t pretend to be an expert, and I refer my readers just this once to a great Wikipedia article on the latest trend, the game Pokémon Go for more.  This article explains a lot of the detail and is current, and cites over 60 sources with links.  There are also official sties and web pages for Pokémon Go.

 

I’m sure the Strong National Museum of Play has already added to its library and archives all kinds of resources for this wildly popular game.  A lot of concerns have surfaced, too, as they always do. These include people trespassing, looking at their phones and walking into traffic or walls, players skipping work and school to play, kids breaking curfew, etc.  Positives include positive effects for those with depression and or mental health issues, encouraging exercise, teaches map reading and directional skills [I could use those!] getting young people up and out into the fresh air.

 

Games and their origins go hand in hand with a study of dolls and toys, so I’m interested.  I also have a 17 year old at home who is just crazy about the game.  It involves creativity, since players must develop their own Avatar.  Years ago, my son Mitch created an Avatar for me for WII games.  To his credit, he made my Avatar skinny, with long brown hair and glasses.  She looks more as I did when I was 14, but hey, who’s counting years?  In my heart, I’ll probably always be between 12-14 anyway. J

 

In countries like China and Korea where the original App to download the game is prohibited or not available, players have devised ingenious ways to play so that they aren’t left out.  I suppose their efforts testify to the fact that collectors/gamers/IT geeks/toy enthusiasts, etc., are resourceful and persistent.  More of us should run companies, if not the world.  I’m just saying. J