Location-based game

For example, Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers.

In contrast, games such as Pokémon Go are fully contained in digital devices with very little to no interaction or effect on the physical world.

[6] On the other hand, the social interaction that takes place and skills related to strategic decisions, observation, planning and physical activity are the main characteristics of this strand in terms of learning.

In a paper titled "Death by Pokémon GO", researchers at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management claim the game caused "a disproportionate increase in vehicular crashes and associated vehicular damage, personal injuries, and fatalities in the vicinity of locations, called PokéStops, where users can play the game while driving.

However, these games may generate activity at locations that are privately-owned or have access limits, or otherwise cause undesirable congestion.

While the county had felt there was no First Amendment rights involved due to how locations were generated in-game, the Federal judge disagreed.

[14] One issue experienced during the Pokémon Go craze was the game's players disturbing owners of private property while visiting nearby location-bound augmentations.

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, attempted to regulate augmented reality games played in its parks, requiring prior issuance of a permit,[20] but this was criticised on free speech grounds by a federal judge;[21] and Illinois considered mandating a notice and take down procedure for location-bound augmentations.

[22] Japan is the world's biggest market for consumer spending on location-based titles like Pokémon Go and Dragon Quest Walk, having generated over $620 million in 2023 which is equal to 50% of the global revenue.