What Is ‘Pokémon Go’? Find Out How App Works, What It Does, Where To Download Here

Pokémon Go is an Augmented Reality game forged by a partnership between The Pokémon Company and Niantic Labs. “Augmented Reality,” or AR, means that Pokémon Go is using real-world environments as a base for its gameplay features. That’s why Pokémon Go requires that GPS be enabled in order to work, and that’s a major draw of the game.

The big conceit of Pokémon Go is that you can catch Pokémon in your own home, your own school, your own cubicle, your own neighborhood -- if you can go there, you can catch a Pokémon there with Pokémon Go. The app has a Google Maps-esque view of wherever you happen to be at the time, with various landmarks and places of interest highlighted.

Some local landmarks are “PokeStops” where you can get items, like PokeBalls to catch Pokémon or Incense to lure more Pokémon to you. Others are “Gyms” where you can fight other Pokémon or train your own. Either way, Pokémon Go provides a great motivation to get out of your house and explore your neighborhood.

As you walk around with Pokémon Go active on your phone, your phone will buzz to indicate that a Pokémon is near. When you check out your phone, the Pokémon will be visible on your map. You touch the Pokémon to launch encounter mode, where you can attempt to catch that Pokémon .

While in encounter mode, you can choose to toggle the AR camera mode. “AR camera mode” means that Pokémon Go will use your camera to provide a real-world backdrop for your Pokémon encounter. That’s where all the funny images of Pokémon in the real world are coming from:

Unfortunately, Pokémon Go is currently suffering from a lot of server issues. The app is also very taxing on a phone’s battery , leading to Pokémon Go starter pack memes like the ones below:

Do you have any other basic questions about what Pokémon Go is, like how to get started? You can download Pokémon Go on iOS here and on Android here. Once you’ve done that, check out the guide series below:

• Beginner's Guide

• Leveling/Evolution Guide

• Gym Guide

• Battery Saver Guide

• Healing Guide

• Price Guide