So you’ve all probably heard of that game that Nintendo and Niantic, Inc. released called Pokemon GO, because yeah, it’s a bit popular these days.
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Police in the United Kingdom have also begun to express concerns over player habits and the gatherings they can create.
The good news for anyone who has already downloaded the app via unofficial methods, is that users are reporting that they can install the official app and their progress through the game will be saved.
New figures from SurveyMonkey released on Wednesday claim that the game is already the biggest release in app history in the US.
The popularity of Pokemon GO, has created an opportunity for local shops attracting customers by marketing themselves as “Poke Stops”, where gamers can grab Pokemon balls and increase their level of power within the app. It is a follow on from previous Pokemon games and is taking the world by storm.
Whilst the game has gripped a global audience, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned of the risk of people making themselves vulnerable to accidents and even crime whilst playing.
“Wandering around at night, phone in hand, may not be safe”.
“People are getting injured, people in the USA are having their cellphones stolen when they show up at given locations where Pokemon are supposed to be in hiding”, said Sgt. Dave Rektor.
This led some people to worry about what might happen when they switched apps.
Police in Darwin, Australia, also issued a message to users on Facebook, asking them to refrain from entering the city’s police station, which had been marked as a PokeStop in the game.
– Concentrate on dangers around you and be careful when crossing the road – don’t just focus on your device.
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South of the border, police in the USA have cautioned players that trespassers could get arrested or worse, especially if they cross paths with an armed property owner. This is before privacy and productivity concerns are factored in.
