Playing video games usually doesn’t lead to trouble or threats, but Pokémon Go players are experiencing instances of intimidation while out hunting in the real world. These incidents have sparked a discussion about the safety of the game.
In a Reddit post on November 26th, a player named u/haelous shared their experience of being threatened by a lady while searching for a Pokémon in a park. The lady accused them of staking out her house and told them to leave. This post prompted other players to share similar encounters they’ve had in parks and public places.
One player recounted how their brother was accused of filming children at a park while playing Pokémon Go. The situation escalated to involve the police, but the brother was able to prove his innocence by showing his in-game journal and Pokémon collection. This incident led to a discussion about why some players avoid visiting children’s parks for their Pokémon Go sessions.
Another player shared a funny yet scary experience from when Pokémon Go was first released. Despite these incidents occurring even after seven years since the game’s launch, it raises the question of whether people are still unaware of the game’s impact on players in public spaces.
It is concerning that innocent players are facing police involvement for simply using public spaces to play a game in 2023. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive solution to this issue.
Another Reddit post from November 25th highlighted an incident where a player’s sibling was threatened by an older lady for attempting to take over a Gym in the game. The lady threatened to make the player’s in-game life difficult by constantly kicking them out of Gyms in the future if they didn’t back off.
These incidents not only involve misunderstandings with the police but also instances of bullying towards Pokémon Go players in public. Interestingly, these frustrating experiences haven’t affected the game’s popularity, as players continue to encourage victims to ignore the negativity and assert their right to use public spaces.
In cases of harassment, affected players should consider reporting the incidents to Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go. Despite any complaints players may have against the company, Niantic is known for taking a strict stance against bullying in the game.
Source: DOTESPORTS
