Trinis go Pokémon crazy

Eyes wide with intent and foreheads creased in concentration, these individuals are just some of the Trinidadians who have joined millions globally in a movement that is taking the world by storm: Pok?mon Go. After an inescapable international hype, the highly anticipated game finally went live on Wednesday, August 3, here in Trinidad and Tobago. It was not long after the word spread like wildfire on major social media platforms that Pok?mon players, also known as trainers, feverishly took to the streets to begin their hunt.

“Since I was younger, I’ve wanted to play and now that the game is like in real life and you can walk around and catch (Pok?mons), it’s great,” Jeremy Sampson, Freeport resident, said. “I started playing the day it came out and I played all day after that.” A number of trainers expressed a similar sentiment that they began playing the game due to their interest in Pok?mon since their childhood.

“I think a lot of people can look back and say that as a child they really wanted Pok?mon to be real and they used to dream about catching them in real life and being a trainer,” Nia Henry, Diego Martin resident, said. “This game really fulfills that feeling.” Trainers from all parts of the nation have trekked across the country in search of Pok?Stops for hunting. Standing outside of the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS), a fruitful Pok?Stop, in Port-of-Spain, Level ten trainer, Darcel, successfully utilised a Lure Module (a tool used to attract Pok?mons). She then captured creatures including a Magikarp and Psyduck while her colleagues snagged a Jigglypuff, Sandshrew, and Shellder, to name a few. She added that hubs for hunting were scattered all across the nation, some of which include Gulf City Mall in La Romaine and parts of Arima.

MovieTowne Port-of-Spain proved to be another hot Pok?Stop hub last Sunday as hundreds of trainers congregated around the foundation between the shopping stores and one of the charging stations in the area. Many were also seen glued to their cell phones throughout the grounds and in the nearby Green Park to the western side of the compound.

“I have been here for about two hours and so far I’ve caught about 15 Pok?mon,” said Princes Town resident, Shaquille John, who was one of the many eager trainers present at the Pok?Stop.

Other trainers seemed impressed by how rewarding the hub and its environs were. “There’s a bunch of Pok?Stops here where you can get Pok? Balls, Eggs, and a good bit of Pok?mon,” Genicelle Barrington, Diego Martin resident, said. “A lot of people were together around the Falls at West Mall sign hunting, too.” While the game has only been accessible in the nation for a little over a week, it has already begun to bring together individuals from all parts of the nation with one common interest.

“To play this game you have to be active and alert all the time,” John said. “I’ve interacted with so many people I’ve never met because we’re all on the Pok?mon hunt.” As trainers continue to relish in the game, they have also faced a number of challenges, such as particular areas lacking Pok?mon in quantity and assortment.

“Different regions have different varieties of Pok?mon,” Sampson said. “I live in Freeport so there are not as many as compared to other parts, like Port-of-Spain, where you can walk around and find Pok?Stops, gyms, and Pok?mon easily.” Another challenge that has hampered the hunting for trainers is the availability of Wi-Fi since the application is dependent upon an Internet or data connection.

“Wi-Fi is not available everywhere so this is a hindrance to those who cannot afford data plans,” Claxton Bay resident, Shaueel Persadee, said. “Places like MovieTowne and Port-of-Spain are ideal because there is free Wi-Fi available there for people to play.” Despite the inevitable downsides of the game, trainers have unanimously expressed their satisfaction from playing thus far.

“This is one of the best things of the generation because Pok?mon Go has changed gaming and life in general for everyone,” Persadee said. “It’s something for people to do outside and for exercise while still being able to have fun and it’s also great for your social life because you can meet people.” With the ubiquity of Pok?mon Go, many non-players have found the game and its fandom to be mundane, or even a nuisance. But some trainers wished to clear up misconceptions and clear the air once and for all.

“People need to understand that everything is just in the name of good fun and this is a way to get people to be active and involved and meet other people through a shared interest,” Henry said. “People should be open minded and not so quick to judge.” (