Pokemon GO Player Faces Threat of Gun Violence

Highlights

A Pokemon GO player recently shared how they were threatened by a man with a gun while trying to play the game.

Playing Pokémon GO while driving can lead to dangerous situations, despite the game's warning against it. To ensure their safety, trainers must remain vigilant of their surroundings and exercise caution when playing.

A Pokemon GO player was threatened at gunpoint, creating a frightening situation. With its unique concept of bringing gameplay into the real world, Pokemon GO often leads to unusual, humorous, or dangerous anecdotes within the community.

In 2016, the launch of Pokemon GO generated excitement as it allowed people to fulfill their dream of becoming Pokemon trainers. However, the game's advent also brought along several issues. One common occurrence is car accidents involving individuals engrossed in playing Pokemon GO, despite repeated warnings from the game's developer. To mitigate such incidents, the game has implemented warning systems to verify that players are passengers rather than drivers. The Pokemon GO FAQ advises players to enjoy the game while remaining attentive to potential obstacles, traffic, pedestrians, and inappropriate areas. Despite following these guidelines, a trainer recently shared a terrifying encounter they had while playing Pokemon GO.

Pokemon GO Player Threatened by Armed Man

According to a Reddit user named The_big_strombilo, they had a frightening encounter while playing Pokemon GO. The incident occurred at a church where the player was engaged in battling a Gengar during a Raid. As the player was parked, a man approached in another vehicle and expressed unfamiliarity with them. To the player's dismay, the man revealed that he possessed a firearm and threatened to shoot them unless they vacated the premises. Despite feeling scared, the player quickly discerned that the man was neither a security guard nor an officer. Although the player explained that they were merely playing Pokemon GO, the man displayed apathy towards their explanation. In order to avoid escalating the confrontation, the player chose to leave the parking lot. Fortunately, the authorities eventually apprehended the individual responsible for issuing the threat.

Other Redditors expressed immense relief upon learning that, despite the horrifying ordeal endured by The_big_strombilo, the player emerged unharmed. Some shared their own anecdotes, such as a trainer who encountered the police shortly after the release of Pokemon GO. They recounted venturing out on a Friday night, in search of the rare Snorlax at the time. After showing the officer their phone screen, the player described the officer's departure as a mix of pity and annoyance. While The_big_strombilo and this player experienced a tense situation without further complications, other Pokemon GO trainers have not been as fortunate, with some falling victim to robberies while enjoying the game.

Pokemon GO offers players the opportunity to capture and battle Pokemon in the real world. However, all trainers must remain conscious of their surroundings, a point that Niantic has consistently emphasized since the game's launch. It is not always possible for Pokemon GO players to avoid certain situations, such as the one encountered by The_big_strombilo. Nonetheless, it is crucial for players to exercise caution in order to avoid putting themselves at risk and to continue enjoying the game safely.

Pokémon GO,

Following an initial trial on Google Maps as an April Fools' prank, Pokemon GO was officially launched to the general public in the summer of 2016. This augmented reality mobile application achieved unprecedented triumph and remains one of the most popular mobile games globally, generating billions in revenue for its creator, Niantic.

Franchise PokemonPlatform(s) iOS, AndroidReleased July 6, 2016Developer(s) Niantic, The Pokemon Company