Bahrain mosques turn Pokémon Gyms
Manama : Do not be surprised to see gamers playing with virtual creatures at your local mosque because, strangely, many mosques are ‘Pokémon Gyms’ and ‘PokéStops’ where virtual training and battles take place.
The augmented reality game Pokémon Go has taken Bahrain by storm, with gamers and fans travelling across the Kingdom to catch digital creatures Pokémon. The game requires the player to hunt for the creatures and train them.
The game uses real locations to encourage players to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon. Over a hundred species of Pokémon can be caught using the game.
Popular locations such as Amwaj Islands Lagoon, Bahrain International Airport, Bab Al Bahrain, Al Andulas Garden and many mosques all over Bahrain are designated as Pokémon Gyms and PokéStops’.
A theory behind why mosques are PokéStops and gyms is because the game interprets the place of worship as a ‘hangout location’ since it detects a crowd there.
“Get on your feet and step outside to find and catch wild Pokémon. Explore cities and towns around where you live and even around the globe to capture as many Pokémon as you can,” Pokémon Go creators Niantic stated.
As you move around, your smartphone will vibrate to let you know you’re near a Pokémon. Once you’ve encountered a Pokémon, take aim on your smartphone’s touch screen and throw a PokéBall to catch it. Be careful when you try to catch it, or it might run away! Also look for PokéStops located at interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments, where you can collect more PokéBalls and other item,” it added.
The game has not yet been released in Bahrain, but users were able to download it from unofficial sources. Gamers in Bahrain have already formed teams and are challenging each other.
“I have not actually caught any Pokémon at the mosque, but I have heard that they are popular locations for Pokémon. I don’t think we should disrespect the mosque by going to game there, it would be silly,” said Abdallah, an avid gamer.
“But I think as the game becomes more competitive, people will start using mosques as Gyms and Stops, so I think the mosque officials need to keep a close eye and prevent it from happening. Besides there are many other popular locations for the game, I have caught many Pokémon at Al Andalus Garden,” he added.
Social media websites were flooded with posts about the game. “Should I expect to see a lot of people catching them all on the streets now? Be careful not to fall in the lagoon while trying to catch a silly Magikarp,” a user commented.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa quipped that “Pokemon Go is the important thing happening in the world today.”
Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game
How to play Pokemon go
GOAL
Capture and train monsters to battle for control of virtual “gyms” displayed on smartphone maps of real-world settings. Players win by controlling gyms and collecting Pokemon.
HOW TO GET STARTED
- Download a free Android or Apple smartphone Pokemon Go app.
- Choose an avatar.
- Walk to a “PokeStop” icon pictured on the map and tap on it to reveal photos
of the real-world location you are standing in front of.
- Spin image to obtain supplies such as balls for capturing monsters.
- Progress to the next level by visiting PokeStops and capturing Pokemon.
CATCHING MONSTERS
- While walking, watch smartphone map for what appear to be bursts of leaves or grass.
- Go closer.
- When a Pokemon image appears on screen tap it.
- Switch to camera mode and scan surroundings to see Pokemon.
- Hold finger on Pokeball at bottom of smartphone screen, swipe to toss a ball and hit target to capture Pokemon.
TRAINING MONSTERS
- Increase a Pokemon’s power using stardust and creature-specific
candy found in the game.
- Reach Level 5.
- Walk to a gym, represented on a map as a tower.
- Once close enough, tap on the icon to enter the gym and choose which
team to join: red, blue or yellow.
- If a gym is controlled by a rival team, challenge the ruling Pokemon
for dominance.
- After defeating a rival Pokemon, leave your own Pokemon to rule the gym.
TIPS
- Carry backup power.
- Use teamwork to keep control of gyms.
- Don’t venture where it is not safe or you are not wanted.
- Remember your location is being tracked so others might find you.
- At the start, hold back from chasing the first Pokemon you see if you want a chance to get the coveted Pikachu later on.
Related Posts