Since Wednesday, mobile gamers have been taking to the streets at all hours in search of tiny alien creatures, dodging cars and jumping fences in pursuit of Pokemon, visible only through their phones.
It’s all thanks to the American launch of Pokemon Go, an augmented reality game that allows users to find the famous digital fighters in the “wild” of their surrounding neighborhoods. The app, which is currently #1 in the “Free” apps section of the iTunes and GooglePlay stores, has been downloaded by millions of users over the weekend, all of whom are now required to pursue their foes in an unfamiliar manner for gamers – by going outside.
In addition to the Eevees and Pikachus, Pokemon players are discovering an even greater menace: their atrophied leg muscles.
My legs are sore from too much pokemon go
— Beefy Doom (@WinnerOfLife7) July 9, 2016
I ran for a good minute or two yesterday for Pokemon Go and my lower legs are sore. I could blame my shoes or accept how unfit I am.
— Michael Beebe (@pandabeebe) July 9, 2016
My legs are sore from all the Pokemon go I played yesterday????????????????????
— Daniel Garibay (@DanielGaribay3) July 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/LivingKitten/status/751248108646981636
Although there hasn’t yet been a Pokemon Go-related death, one girl playing the game wandered into a wooded area and discovered a dead body floating in a Wyoming river. The death has since been ruled accidental, but unrelated to the app.
Over the weekend, some users to tried to break into police stations, and possibly broke up their marriages. And unsurprisingly, Pokemon-related ER visits have jumped.
This is the most pathetic Pokemon Go injury I've seen reported. pic.twitter.com/SxyFj04o0u
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) July 10, 2016
I can't wear my cute shoes because I sustained a Pokémon related injury last night. ???? #worthit
— jennifer laughran (@literaticat) July 10, 2016
Pokemon Go injury. I caught an Ow. Professor Hot Dad should come and make it all better wink wonk 😉 pic.twitter.com/YUhSnt8AfV
— Hobie (@HobieOtt) July 8, 2016
Pokemon go injury no.1 pic.twitter.com/uEi3BnywPP
— leviathan kid (@OsborneEmmie) July 7, 2016
Oh man. I think I might have just gotten the first injury award for pokemon go. I walked into a draw ;___; pic.twitter.com/nVJvdR2Xnv
— Izzy Gramp (@Shrubbette) July 6, 2016
One Chicago app user fell down into a ditch. Your author almost got hit by a car running after a Venomoth that broke out of its Pokeball. The app now prompts users to be aware of their surroundings while playing the game.
