Pokemon Go popping up in Waterloo Region, before Canadian release

Drivers offer to chauffeur Pokémon Go players For an hourly charge, the chauffeurs drive gamers around town in order to catch more Pokémon.

Canadians aren’t supposed to be able to access Pokemon Go yet – but that hasn’t stopped a number of people in Waterloo Region from taking part in the quest to catch ‘em all.

The smartphone-based game was released last week in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Company officials have blamed overloaded servers for its delay in being made available elsewhere.

For people less familiar with Pokemon – in the Go app or in any of the forms that first made it popular in North America nearly 20 years ago – it is a franchise developed by gamemaker Nintendo in which characters capture, train and battle creatures known as Pokemon, short for ‘pocket monsters’.

Up until Pokemon Go, players’ actions took place solely in the digital worlds created by the video games.

The new app places that activity in the real world, with Pokemon appearing on players’ phones when they visit certain locations at certain times.

Although the app is not supposed to be downloadable in other countries, including Canada, many players have found workarounds that allow them to get a head start on trying it out.

Several people have taken to Twitter offering advice or seeking help on finding Pokemon in Waterloo Region, or just sharing their progress in the game.

Unexpected benefits have also emerged from the game. Some businesses who find themselves near Pokemon hotspots have seen their sales increase, with a few going as far as to purchase lures – an in-game item that attracts rare Pokemon to the area – to further entice players.

Some people have also reported learning things they didn’t know about their community as they explore it in search of Pokemon.

A subforum has even been set up on Reddit for Pokemon Go players in Waterloo Region to trade tips and stories of Pokemon sightings in the area.

Around the world, there have been reports of injuries sustained by Pokemon Go players, including one person who claimed they inadvertently fell into a ditch while playing, fracturing their foot.

Some officials, including Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, have posted messages reminding gamers to be aware of their safety as they play.

Matee Moshkovits, a Toronto-based IT and security consultant, offered CTV Toronto five pieces of advice for players to keep their safety and pocketbook in mind while immersed in the world of Pokemon Go.

Pay attention to your cellphone plan: Moshkovits said using data, GPS and Bluetooth on your phone can drain battery and be expensive. “You need a very fast and long-lasting battery on your phone,” he said. “You need a big data package. The bill will come and you’re going to be shocked.”

Stick together: Even if you’re going to a meet-up, go with a friend, Moshkovits said. Some organized events are not official or regulated. It can be dangerous if you’re alone in unfamiliar areas.

Have an exit strategy: Be sure to take a break because the game is interactive and sends you notifications to keep you interested. Moshkovits said the game doesn’t pause or turn off. Instead, gamers can play anytime or anywhere. The game technically never ends and players can log thousands of hours.

Keep your cool: Stay hydrated if you’re playing outside in hot weather, Moshkovits said. Since the game can go on for hours, bring water and dress properly.

Beware when playing at night or in potentially dangerous areas: Gamers should not play alone, especially at night, according to Moshkovits. He said, “There are multiple warnings in the game and they’re there for a reason. Be aware of your surroundings.” If approached by security or police, Moshkovits said always explain what you’re doing and cooperate.

With files from CTV Toronto and The Canadian Press