Pokémon GO Chicago represented the “best and worst” of a bumpy first year

The first-ever Pokémon GO Fest recently concluded in Chicago, Illinois, following a series of unexpected issues and mishaps. The worldwide event represented some of the best and worst of a bumpy first year, according to IGN editor Andrew Goldfarb.

“I’d only been at Pokemon Go Fest for five minutes the first time I heard someone shout that an ultra-rare Pokemon was nearby,” he writes. “With 20,000 of the most dedicated Pokemon Go fans from around the world in one spot, it wasn’t surprising to see that people were passionate, and the friendly, cooperative spirit that started the day represented everything great about Pokemon Go and its community.

“With multiple other real-world events already planned for this summer, I hope that Niantic can make sure things go more smoothly. If they do, hopefully more people will be able to appreciate exactly why Pokemon Go became such a cultural phenomenon last year and why it appeals to such a wide audience. Pokemon Go is a social experience unlike any game before it, and real-world events are a perfect evolution of that, but they’re only fun if the game is functional.”

Source: IGN.com