Pokémon Go has only been in Apple and Android stores for five days, and it’s already basically turned the world upside down (or at least the parts of the world where it’s been released). It’s led users to find a dead body, enterprising criminals to use it to lure in robbery victims, and has been used to troll Westboro Baptist Church. Pokémon Go is currently used more than Tinder and is set to become more popular than Twitter, all while having only launched in the U.S. and Australia, according to CNN. Of course, Austin being the tech-driven, nostalgia-loving version of Neverland that it is, people have been going nuts for the app since the moment it hit the market.
Since Austinites have started playing it, the app has helped us learn a few things about ourselves…
10.) That we are geeky and proud of it.
https://twitter.com/sorola/status/752207920205471744
9.) That maybe crime does pay, after all.
Not sure I fully understand Pokemon GO. I went for a walk… and it really seemed like it wanted me to break into people's houses.
— Jeremy Dooley | Biden/Harris 2024 (@JeremyNDooley) July 7, 2016
8.) That there is really no better way to make new friends.
Meeting random strangers through #PokemonGO is an absolutely remarkable experience. pic.twitter.com/KYnSEniT9G
— Miles Luna (he/him) (@TheMilesLuna) July 9, 2016
7.) And that we basically have zero need for Tinder anymore.
"He asked, 'Will you #PokemonGO-out with me?' And that's when I knew." – Story I'll hear at an engagement party next year
— Alyssa Vidales (@instalyssa) July 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/jcdeleon1/status/752288272139689984
6.) We’ve learned that it’s a great way to connect to some of our favorite Austin locales.
In one of the proudest moments in COTA history, Turn 1 is now an official Pokéstop. #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/saSPZs9Upd
— Circuit of The Americas (@COTA) July 7, 2016
Guys! Am I doing it right? #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/dccciDrv6m
— George L. Panga (@GeorgePanga) July 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/KdinJenzen/status/751158958384033793
5.) And we’re finding Austin gems that we didn’t even know existed.
https://twitter.com/PokemonGO_ATX/status/752279637011509248
4.) Though we may have also learned that we need to pay a bit more attention to our surroundings.
Just had to look at my map to see where I was, because I honestly had no idea. I may have a problem. #PokemonGO
— Duck (@oddlittleduck) July 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/kurtbradley/status/752273215087665152
3.) We’re learning what it’s really like to work at some of Austin’s most millennial-filled companies (i.e. they all really love playing Pokémon Go, and probably during work hours).
When I'm wandering around playing #PokemonGO and look up and have no clue where I am pic.twitter.com/lhj0DTkA0F
— theCHIVE (@theCHIVE) July 7, 2016
Hey, Austin Pokemon GO trainers! Anybody feel like getting together this weekend at the Science and Nature Center and explore for Pokemon?
— First Austinian Empire (@AustinianEmpire) July 7, 2016
The Stage 5 parking lot is filled with RT employees wandering around playing #PokemonGo… what a time to be alive.
— Mica Burton (@MicaBurton) July 7, 2016
2.) We’re learning the importance of keeping Pokémon happy while they’re here, but not toooo happy — we can’t have these guys wanting to move here and drive up the cost of living even more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHqxeNQDbol/?tagged=pokemongoaustin
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHqvwYLjKlH/?tagged=pokemongoaustin
1.) And we’ve learned that even when we’re trying not to play, we just can’t help ourselves.
https://twitter.com/jasonjermaine/status/752258513422815232
If you haven’t yet jumped on this trend and burned a few calories in the Texas heat or made a new lifelong friend to wear hats and backpacks with, here are a few local resources to get you started:
Local bars that are Pokéstops/gyms
PokémonGo Texas Facebook group
There are also plenty of Pokémon Go events set up for the weekend, like this Go Crawl and this Pokémon Lure Party on Friday.
Now go, catch them all and whatnot!
