Do you want to be the very best in Chicago, like no one ever was? Are you ready to travel across the land, searching far and wide? Is it your destiny to catch 'em all, and will your courage pull you through?
Well, with the new mobile video game, Pokémon Go, all of that is now possible. Smartphone users can now channel their inner Ash Ketchum as they roam across the city, capturing adorable virtual beasts and racking up experience points.
In case you've been living under an internet-proof rock over the last day or so, Pokémon Go pulls local geography and landmarks from Google, and requires users to travel (yes, this video game makes you go outside) in order to capture different Pokémon, rack up experience points and items and duke it out in "gyms." When users encounter a Pokémon in the game, it uses their phone's camera to provide a real-life backdrop as they chuck Pokéballs at the digital creatures.
With the release of the game, ‘90s kids can finally live out the fantasy of bringing Pokémon into the real world—and Chicagoans have certainly noticed. An event dubbed the "First ever Pokemon Go meet up" was launched on Facebook on Thursday, and more than 3,000 people have RSVP'd that they'll be attending.
The event is set to kick off at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park at 2pm on Sunday, July 17 (if you didn't score a ticket to see FKA twigs or Neon Indian at Pitchfork that day, this may be your next bet).
But even if you don't go and meet up with a bunch of Pokémon nerds, you can at least follow along on social media as "trainers" are sharing their efforts to "catch 'em all" in various locales around the city.
FYI, While you're walking around Chicago playing #PokemonGo @pritzkerlibrary is a pokestop! pic.twitter.com/nJWhRI82tO
— PMML (@pritzkerlibrary) July 8, 2016
Bulbasur and I at Grant Park #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/CkIW10dBFz
— Teddy Winters (@lydzwiz) July 8, 2016
Not sure that we can serve this beer now 😒 :: #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/B5oyXoA4hA
— Emporium Arcade Bar (@EmporiumChicago) July 7, 2016
Poliwag!!!! Look out!!!!!!! #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/u5qPUFEgiq
— Michelle Chapman (@shellteach2000) July 8, 2016
Early Friday bus ride with Hitmonlee. #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/Kfg4FgLkzs
— Gio (@Gee_Y0L0) July 8, 2016