The world goes wild for Pokémon GO

Walking in the streets these days feels like being in the future world. People are wandering around with their heads in their phones and every once in a while, they will stop and exclaim, "There's a Geodude nearby!" or some such. The hunt is on.

What happened? Well, it's all about the newly released mobile game "Pokémon Go". The game made by Nintendo became the top app in the Apple Store last week after its release in the US, Australia and New Zealand. How popular it is? Check out the following photos:

Friday night at Melbourne Central in Australia

A park in Sydney

Pokemon Go players in the Netherlands

People play 'Pokémon Go' on their smartphones in Union Square in New York.

Here is how it works:

The apps uses GPS. As you wander through the real world, it will show you an animated version of Google maps. You'll be able to see roads, buildings, Gyms, and Pokéstops. 

When you are near a Pokémon, you'll get a notification in the form of a vibration.

It then launches an augmented reality experience with the Pokémon dancing around in realtime.

Then, you'll throw a Poké Ball at the Pokémon, by swiping towards it. 

If you are lucy, the Pokémon will be yours.

This game has also become a perfect excuse for keeping fit. Why?

A player shows a route map with and without Pokémon GO.

Another player shares his number of steps everyday before and after Pokémon GO.

Many people go wild for the game. They seem quite enjoyable.

Other fans are more crazy about catching Pokémon:

Even a volunteer on the Mosul front line caught his first Pokémon while fighting ISIS:

However, Pokémon GO players are so involved and dedicated to the game that its causing a real problem with those who aren't using the app.

Darwin Police Station in northern Australia is marked as a PokéStop which led to lots of players lurking outside. Then the police station left a response on Facebook encouraging players to stay safe and pay attention:

新入门的Pokemon玩家们，也许达尔文警察局被设定成了Pokestop，但是建议各位不要为了买pokeballs而真的跑进警察局哦。

另外，最好在过马路的时候放下手机抬头看看道路左右。穿山鼠跑不了这么快的。确保安全然后把它们全部都抓住哦！

The similar situation happens between couples as well:

My boyfriend said "Catch 'em all" instead of "I love you" when he dropped me off at work this morning… #PokemonGo

— @fernieee_

我男友今天早上送我上班的时候不说"我爱你"了，改说"全都要抓住"了……

Picked my boyfriend up from the airport and he screamed in the car…there was a wild Pidgey and Rattata on the dashboard #PokemonGO

— @maggiematella

去机场接男票，他在车里尖叫起来……因为仪表盘上站着一只野波波和小拉达……

Told my bf I'd be right back, ended up walking around for 40 minutes. Eggs still not hatched. Caught a poliwag and a staryu though #pokemonGO

— @MaliceDaFirenze

跟男票说我马上就回来，结果兜圈走了40分钟。蛋还是没孵出来。不过抓到了一只蚊香蝌蚪和海星星。

I think I just saw a couple break up over Pokemon go but I was too busy catching a horsea

— @HaseColsen

好像我刚刚看到一对情侣因为Pokemon go吵分手了，不过我当时在忙着抓一只墨海马……

Also, those people who don't play the game would mock them like this:

Me watching y'all get your phone data bills at the end of the month after playing #PokemonGo

— @sxglatt

我就等着看你们月底拿到流量账单的样子……

Finally, please read these suggestions from the police in New Zealand:

So you gotta catch 'em all. But don't let your pursuit of virtual monsters get you into real strife.

我懂你们要把它们全部抓住。不过千万别让你因为抓虚拟小精灵而陷入现实冲突。

We'd like players of the new Pokemon Go game to watch out for real-world hazards while using their phones to hunt Pokemon around our communities.

我们希望Pokemon Go的玩家们在社区里用手机抓小精灵的时候注意身边的危险。

Never use your phone while driving, don't step into the road without looking, watch out for others – particularly if they've got their noses buried in their phones.

不要在开车的时候玩手机，不要看也不看就过马路，注意别的人，尤其是当他们也埋头在玩手机的时候。

Be aware of what's happening around you and respect other people and their property. Stay safe and have fun.

注意身边发生的事情，尊重他人和他们的土地财产。确保安全，玩得开心。

What? You want to know how Chinese people play the game? Well, Pokémon GO is still not available in China. So how is your experience with the game?

The article is translated and editted by Chinlingo. Please indicate the source for any use, reproduction or transfer. 

本文由Chinlingo编译后发布，如需转载，请标明来源。