Introduction

Pokémon Go is a free, augmented-reality app that's spreading like crazy. The game seems simple enough at the start, as though all you do is wander around, catching random fake animals. However, unlike many other mobile games, Pokémon Go leaves most of its complexity unexplained which means you must master it at the same time as you figure out how it works--which, it turns out, is a lot easier said than done.

Some are Pokémon Go it a " Cultural Moment" , others going so far as to say it's "eating the world". What we do know is that it's already bigger than Tindr, and that the average user is playing the game for more than 43 minutes a day!

(Side note: if you're a total newbie, and don't know anything at all, read this before going any further.)

The game was created by Niantic, the team behind Ingress, and makes use of Google Maps data to turn real points of interest such as parks, shops and churches into real world "gyms".

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You also have the option to use real money to buy in-game currency called PokéCoins. (Between $0.99 for 100 PokéCoins and up to $99.99 for 14,500.) Those PokéCoins are used to purchase Pokéballs, the in-game item you need to be able to catch Pokémon.

An optional companion Bluetooth wearable device, the Pokémon Go Plus, is planned for future release and will alert users when Pokémon are nearby.