Pokemon Go craze hit the Gold Coast hard with gamers hunting the city for the animated creatures

SMALL, animated monsters begging to be trained are infiltrating the Gold Coast and budding trainers are glued to their smart phones trying to catch the illusive beasts.

SMALL, animated monsters begging to be trained are infiltrating the Gold Coast and budding trainers are glued to their smart phones trying to catch the elusive beasts.

The Pokemon Go craze has hit the city hard, with thousands of fans, old and young, hitting the Coast’s streets, shops and attractions to catch them all.

Pokemon Go allows you to capture Pokemon in a real world environment and is taking the region by storm. Player James Schukin of Upper Coomera on the hunt at Evandale. Picture Glenn Hampson

Gamers have created several Gold Coast-centric Facebook pages which already boast thousands of members, posting meet-up details and sharing information on known Pokemon hotspots.

The Broadwater Parklands, Evandale, Dreamworld’s car park, Movieworld, Broadbeach, Nerang, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast TAFE and Helensvale are among the most highly populated areas.

Adding to the intrigue, gamers and businesses can place “lures” in certain places to attract gamers to a certain place.

Griffith University technology expert Dr David Tuffley said it was an ingenious way to get a tech-obsessed generation out of the house and into nature.

“The intention of this game is to take gaming to a new level where it gets the players outside and moving around, which is a smart concept,” he said.

“My own daughter is caught up in the craze and it’s great to see her getting out and about, walking the dog and getting fresh air while playing the game.

“The game has been made carefully to ensure the Pokemon pop up in safe areas but, of course, children should be supervised and shouldn’t be playing it outside at night.”

Ryan Korondy of Bundall on the hunt at Evandale. Picture Glenn Hampson

The craze, which has swept the globe in a matter of days, has sparked warnings from police.

In the US several people have already been robbed while using the app.

Gold Coast Superintendent Craig Hanlon said there were many safety implications when someone was so engrossed in their phone.

“It is important that people are aware of their surroundings, especially when in public places and near roads,” he said.

“Given it is an online app, there is also the risk of the worldwide web, players need to be aware of who they are talking to about the game and who they are planning to meet to play it.”

A ‘Rattata” found at Gold Coast Bulletin HQ.

At Evandale Lake yesterday about 30 adults were glued to their screens at lunch time, scouring the park for Pokemon.

Chef James Schukin, 29, travelled from his Coomera home in search of water Pokemon.

“It’s a hotspot here,” he said.

Mr Schukin said the game had changed his life since it launched last Thursday.

“I wouldn’t be here – I usually go to work and then play Xbox at home,” he said.

“Now we need to get out and do stuff.”

Pokemon events have already been organised across the Gold Coast, including a “Pokecruise” this Saturday.

Player James Schukin of Upper Coomera with a “Bulbasaur”. Picture Glenn Hampson

Bundall man Tris Coffin, 27, said part of the craze was about nostalgia.

“It’s something that you used to do when you were a kid and this is an updated version,” he said.

Bond University researcher in marketing and consumer psychology Professor Stephen Holden said video games like Pokemon needed to evolve in order to survive in the competitive market.

“If you don’t change, then you are dead,” he said.

Prof Holden said the change was also about finding a new audience.

“This game is taking a very similar game and making it palatable to a wider public,” he said.

Pokemon Go is the highest grossing app in the country, despite being free to download.