Pokemon GOhas always been a bit of a troublemaker for the subsection of its users with less self-control than others. The app’s addictive gameplay has caused problems for players before, with news of trespassing and near-miss traffic accidents becoming common during the height ofPokemon GO’s popularity. On top of that, pursuit of rare Pokemon has madePokemon GOquite costlyin the past as well, with players receiving jail time or coming close to losing their jobs thanks to their passion for becoming the very best.
The more things inPokemon GOchange, the more they stay the same - now a Vancouver-based player is feeling the heat after getting caught playing the game while driving. The unidentified player will receive a nearly $400 fine for playingPokemon GOand getting caught by a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Of course,Pokemon GOdoesn’t actively encourage its users to play the game during dangerous times, and the game has even added multiple warning screens with the express intent to prevent players from doing so. Still, Niantic’s app has been criticized before for not doing more to prevent drivers from playing the game, while a recent story also showcasedPokemon GOtelling trainers to go outsideduring Hurricane Irma during the worst of the storm’s weather.
Pokemon GO, by nature of its status as an alternate reality game, will always grapple with these kinds of problems, but a defter hand in preventing them would likely be appreciated by the game’s community. While many ofPokemon GO’s trainers never engage in the dangerous behavior that can lead to fines or even physical harm, the fact that a small section of the game’s population still does means Niantic still has work to do.
In the mean time, we’ll have to hope that stories like this one will help deter players from endangering themselves and others while playingPokemon GO.
Pokemon GOis available now for Android and iOS mobile devices.
