A study conducted by media researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison concluded that players of Pokémon GO players are happier and friendlier than non-Pokémon GO players. This is the second major study to conclude that Pokémon GO has healthy benefits for players despite the negative attention that the media has given the game for causing injuries and robberies.
James Alex Bonus, a UW–Madison graduate student studying educational media and one of the people that conducted the study, said in an interview that he joined the throng playing the game when it was new, but was surprised by the mix of reactions in the media covering the game.
“There was plenty of negative press about distracted people trespassing and running into trees or walking into the street, But you also saw people really enjoying it, having a good time together outside.”
Look on the Bright Side (of Media Effects): Pokémon Go as a Catalyst for Positive Life Experiences
James Alex Bonus, Alanna Peebles, Marie-Louise Mares & Irene G. Sarmiento
Pages 1-25 | Published online: 07 Apr 2017
An online survey of 399 U.S. adults aged 18–75 indicated that playing the AR game Pokémon Go was associated with various positive responses (increased positive affect, nostalgic reverie, friendship formation, friendship intensification, and walking), most of which predicted enhanced well-being. Additionally, two indirect effects of gameplay were moderated by social anxiety. For highly anxious participants, gameplay showed weaker associations with positive affect (a predictor of enhanced well-being), but also weaker associations with nostalgic regret (a predictor of reduced well-being).
Pokémon GO Wins Best Mobile and Handheld Game at BAFTA's
Pokémon GO was nominated for 3 British Academy Games Awards in 2017 in the Family, Game Innovation and Mobile categories. It won Best Mobile and Handheld Game at the British Academy of Film, Television and Arts Game Awards on April 6th, 2017. Niantic posted a thank you blog post where they also listed some of the other recognition's they've received for the game.
Thank you...
It’s been another incredible week for Pokémon GO.
Yesterday, Pokémon GO won the Best Mobile and Handheld Game at the British Academy of Film, Television and Arts Game Awards. We are surprised and grateful to be awarded this honor.
We owe the continued momentum and recognition to the dedicated players exploring the world and creating adventures together in Pokémon GO. Each and every award Pokémon GO has won is a testament to the game’s awesome and supportive community. We haven’t had a chance to thank everyone for each of these, so please accept a collective thank you now on behalf of all of us at Niantic and our partners at The Pokémon Company for all of these amazing honors including, but not limited to:
Adweek’s Hot List - Hottest Digital Obsession & Hottest Mobile Game
Academy of Arts and Science’s D.I.C.E. Awards - Mobile Game of the Year
BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards - Best Game
GameSpot - Best Mobile Games of the Year
Golden Joystick Awards - Innovation of the Year & Handheld/Mobile Game of the Year
GSMA Glomo Awards 2017 - Best Overall Mobile App
IGN - Mobile Game of the Year
SXSW Gaming Awards - Mobile Game of the Year
TechCrunch's Crunchies - Best App of the Year
The Game Awards - Best Mobile/Handheld Game & Best Family Game
The Game Developers Choice Awards - Best Mobile/Handheld Game
We continue to be inspired by the passion of the 65+ million people from around the world playing Pokémon GO each month. We’re still at the beginning of the journey and there’s a lot more to come. With spring arriving in the northern hemisphere, players can look forward to all new cooperative social gameplay experiences in Pokémon GO that will give Trainers new and exciting reasons to get back into the sunshine.
