As I walked through Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens on a sunny July day, I was surrounded by people of all ages playing Pokémon Go together, trading, chatting, and making friends. No, I’m not talking about that first summer back in 2016. This happened just a few days ago at the launch of the Pokémon Go Road Trip, and it was magical.
While the general public might not play Pokémon Go as much as they once did when the game launched over nine years ago, it’s clear that the free mobile game still has a thriving community around the world. Pokémon Go’s Road Trip is testament to just that, bringing people from all walks of life together to celebrate Pokémon and play together. Unlike the majority of major Pokémon Go events like Safari Zones and Tours, the Road Trip is a free-to-attend roaming event, making it a lot more accessible.
The effect of the massive themed truck blasting battle music can’t be overstated, either. My partner and I arrived at the event just after 11am on a Wednesday morning, and Cathedral Gardens was already packed with adults and children alike. I even spotted one dedicated trainer in an inflatable Pikachu costume in the humid heat. According to Jack Wilcock, Head of EMEA Marketing for Pokémon Go, around 80% of Manchester’s game community was present, which is even more impressive when you consider that Oasis were playing on the same day.
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