Credit: Newtown Borough police
If you’ve noticed hordes of people walking in Newtown with their faces glued to their phones, there’s a valid reason for it.
The groups of people around the area are playing a new mobile game, Pokemon Go, where players collect the virtual monsters in real world spaces. Originally launching July 6, the game has blown up to huge proportions since the public got hold of it.
The area around Black Horse Tavern and State Street in Newtown Borough are great areas to play the game, according to people who have played in Bucks County. Many players have been flocking to Tyler State Park and Newtown Athletic Center in Newtown Township to catch virtual monsters.
On a normal Monday afternoon at the wharf along the Delaware River in Bristol Borough, there would normally be somewhere between five and 10 people, especially taking into consideration the recent oppressive heat. Despite the heat, there were close to 50 people – nearly all glued to their phones – standing at the wharf.
The concentration of in-game landmarks at the Bristol Wharf is a huge draw to people playing the mobile game. Some of the people LevittownNow.com talked to came from Bensalem, Northampton and Levittown.
Everyone playing had something to say about how the game brought people together in comradery or in faux rivalry. Over the course of recent nights, hundreds gather at the wharf and waterfront park to catch Pokemon, claim the gym areas for their team, and generally just socialize and have a good time.
“It’s an interesting app because it really gets people out of the house,” said Seith Metts, who traveled to Bristol from North Park in Levittown. “I’m impressed that such a simple app is bringing people together in such a good way.”
I’ve never seen the Bristol Wharf so populated with people #PokemonGO is changing the world
— Tam (@eggheaded_mess) July 13, 2016
just went to the Bristol Wharf while playing Pokémon Go and there was about 50 other people there doing the same exact thing hahahaha
— samantha reed (@samreeed) July 9, 2016
A potential new student spotted in Tyler Gardens! Bucks seems to be a popular place these days! #PokemonGoBucksCo pic.twitter.com/YaULHA0GTW
— Bucks CountyCCollege (@Bucks_edu) July 12, 2016
Dear Twitter, @JonathanLintner owns the #PokemonGO gym at Tyler Park. Take him down.
— Bailey Loosemore (@bloosemore) July 13, 2016
Stop by the @tmabucks Transit Commuter Store for #SEPTA passes & maybe catch one of these 😮 #PokémonGoBucksCo pic.twitter.com/NKmfdUJQvM
— TMA Bucks (@tmabucks) July 13, 2016
Many of the players are people who grew up with Pokemon.
A Pokemon Go screenshot at Bristol Wharf.
Credit: Submitted
Matt Muller, of Bensalem, is one of them. “You see more people giving respect to it [Pokemon], that’s for sure,” he said.
During the time at the wharf a NewtownPANow.com reporter, talked strategy, favorite games and generally just hung out with other Pokemon Go players from different towns. At one point, five of players were combing the park and eventually convening on one spot where the rare Pikachu had appeared.
When playing Pokemon Go, players should be aware of their surroundings and be respectful of the places they play at, working to keep the areas clean and tidy.
“We have been invaded by Pokémon Go,” Newtown Borough police said in a Facebook post. “Please be mindful of the extra pedestrians glued to their phones.”
If this one anecdotal piece of evidence is anything to go by, Pokemon Go will be bringing people together for weeks, months, and maybe years to come.
