Mayor backs Bunbury Pokémon walk

Crashing servers, uniting strangers and causing accidents right across the world seems to be all in a day’s work for new mobile game Pokémon Go.

Developed as a joint venture by software company Niantic and gaming giant Nintendo, the new app is a GPS-based mobile game where users capture, train and battle Pokémon that seem to appear throughout the real world.

It is based on the popular 1995 game created by Satoshi Tajiri, and has since spawned a raft of other games, trading cards, animated series’, films, comic books, toys and other related apparel.

The newest game has taken off globally, with crowds converging on parks inspired to join themed walks all over the world, including at this Saturday’s official Bunbury Pokémon Go walk.

Braving the cold, participants will set off at 9.30am on a 6km walk around the Leschenault Inlet, dressed in their best costumes and cosplay, and with a ‘catch em all’ mentality.

According to the group’s Facebook event page, the walk will take 90 minutes, give or take, to catch the creatures and face them off in gym battles.

‘Trainers’ have been warned to stay safe during the walk, by being aware of their surroundings and sticking to the footpaths.

While the event will mark a fun and friendly outing for people of the fandom, it hasn’t been all fun and games for users of the new app.

There are reports that some users in the US have stumbled upon crime scenes, been targeted by thieves and been involved in car crashes while caught up in the game play.

For those wishing to take part, participants are advised to meet at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell between 8am and 9am.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said although he couldn’t see himself getting involved, he described the craze as “awesome”.

“I can see why it’s so contagious.

“I’ve noticed lots of young people walking the streets with their phones this week,” he said.

While Mr Brennan was optimistic about the community coming together, he urged everybody taking part in Saturday’s walk to exercise caution and be aware of traffic.