Pokemon Go guide for dummies

A SHORT list of things you might need to know to hold any form of conversation with a Pokemon Go player.

People play Pokemon Go on their mobile phones across the Coast. Picture: DAVID MOIR

IF you are anything like me and haven't so much as peered over the shoulder of someone playing Pokemon Go, I have compiled a short list of things you might need to know to hold any form of conversation with a Pokemon player.

Disclaimer: As a "noob” myself, this is by no means an exhaustive list, so don't let this be a taken as an all-encompassing beginners guide as it is most certainly not that.

And no, learning about Pokemon Go did not make me want to pick up my mobile phone and start catchin' 'em all, but kudos to those of you who wish to give it a go.

So here it is, my Pokemon Go for Dummies (the intro to the introduction) ...

• The word Pokemon is an acronym for "pocket monster”.
• Players capture Pokemon by using their own team of monsters to battle them, then, once weakened, trap them in a Poke Ball. Surprisingly, capturing a Pokemon bonds it to you.
• Pokemon Go takes concept out into the real world, where you use your phone's GPS and camera to physically walk around in search of Pokemon.
• Players visit Pokestops to collect eggs that hatch into animals after set walking distances.
• You can also power up animals with a combination of "stardust”, which is collected by capturing any Pokemon, and "candy” specific to that creature.
• Trainers can battle their Pokemon at "gyms”, which are often around landmarks.