Meet the 70-year-old Taiwan grandpa who catches Pokemon with 15 phones and a bike
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 IST
Age no bar, indeed.
HIGHLIGHTS
Chen says grandson introduced him to Pokemon Go
Pokemon Go is an augmented-reality game based on Japanese cartoon characters
Chen says he uses many phones to reach higher levels, capture rare Pokemon
At 70, you would think, most men can be expected to dismiss mobile gaming with a wistful sigh and a shout-out to the good old days. But not Chen -- they call him the Pokemon grandpa.
The handlebar of this Taiwanese pensioner's bicycle resembles the crest of some legendary metallic Pokemon - but instead of feathers, there are phones. 15 of them, to be exact. The app running on all of them simultaneously? Pokemon Go, an augmented-reality game whose players 'catch' these critters in real locations.
Wait, wait, wait, you say. Hang on. What on earth is a Pokemon? Essentially, they're Japanese cartoon charaters - imaginary creatures that 'trainers' collect. You may have heard of Pikachu, the adorable mouse-like Pokemon that's sunny yellow and can hit you with a thunderbolt. But we digress.
Chen told Reuters his grandson introduced him to Pokemon Go, and that he began playing with one cellphone. Yes, we know what you're thinking: That escalated quickly.
Why so many phones? Chen says it allows him to reach higher levels and capture rarer Pokemon. Sometimes, he says, he plays all night thanks to custom-made portable battery packs. And by the way, he spends serious money every month on virtual currency, which he uses in the game.
Reuters says Chen is a minor celebrity in his district. But if you're hungry for a bit of fame, we advise against driving around on a bicycle with half a dozen shining smartphones, all whispering to thieves: Come catch us all.
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