EXCHANGE: Student sees benefits of 'Pokémon Go'

(AP) — A doctoral candidate in the Northern Illinois University Department of Geography argues that augmented reality gaming has educational benefits for those who otherwise would stay indoors.

Centering a discussion on "Pokemon Go" on Saturday in the Northern Illinois University Campus Life Building, Autumn James said that augmented reality - a live direct or indirect view of the world augmented by computer graphics, sounds or GPS data - gives players a strong sense of the space around them.

"Pokemon Go" is a game for mobile devices in which players use GPS data to find and catch digital creatures known as Pokemon.

All four members of the Ford family listened intently to the presentation in yellow shirts that stand for Instinct, one of three teams "Pokemon Go" players are able to choose from when they have advanced far enough into the game.

"Pokemon Go" pushed augmented reality to the mainstream when it hit the app stores July 6, gaining more than 38 million downloads since, according to app marketing company Sensor Tower.