My Pokémon GO Journey: A 7-Year Adventure

I cannot believe it’s been so long since my AR Pokémon journey began. When Pokémon GO launched in July 2016, it quickly captured the hearts of millions around the globe, including mine.

A Journey Through the Years

From day one, Pokémon GO transformed my walks around Austin into exciting adventures. I vividly remember the thrill of taking the bus to play at the Texas Capitol grounds, where hundreds of people would gather as new Pokémon spawned. The game encouraged me to explore new places and learn about the world in ways I never would have otherwise.

Now that I’m living in a new state, Pokémon GO continues to motivate me to discover new parks and popular spots around town. I enjoy learning about local history through the descriptions on PokéStops and Gyms, turning each outing into a small adventure.

Community and Connection

Over the years, the initial excitement in Austin faded a bit, and I didn’t have many friends who played. However, moving to Colorado changed that. I’ve met many fellow players and built a sense of community through Wednesday Raid Hour. It’s been wonderful to connect with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise, all thanks to our shared love of Pokémon.

Reflections and Future Adventures

Looking back, Pokémon GO has been more than just turning my walks at work or a the park into a game—it’s been a source of motivation to visit new places and a way to learn new things about the places I see. Though there are quite a few faults with the gameplay and pricing, after playing since 2016, I don’t think I will be stopping anytime soon.