The skatepark in Deception Bay has become a hotspot for dozens of Pokémon GO players who gather every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to defeat raid bosses, signalling a resurgence of the popular mobile game in South East Queensland.
A New Wave of Players in Deception Bay
Eight years after its 2016 launch, Pokémon GO is regaining popularity in Queensland, particularly in areas like Deception Bay and the Redcliffe peninsula.
Local players, many of whom have been part of the community since day one, spend hours building and maintaining local Pokémon GO hubs. These hubs are often tied to real-world landmarks, with every mural, plaque, and even cafes in the area offering potential Pokémon-catching opportunities.
Brisbane-based player Stephen Eisenhauer, a community ambassador for Pokémon GO, said the game’s ability to evolve with new events and features constantly has kept long-term players engaged. He explained that while local sites may not have hosted the major international events, the community of enthusiasts has been steadily growing, with more players joining every month. There are over 840 members in the community group in Deception Bay, according to one player.
Some 10 kilometeres from Deception Bay, players from across South East Queensland frequently point to Redcliffe as one of the best places to play Pokémon GO. The Redcliffe peninsula offers around 140 Pokémon GO gyms within its 38 square kilometre boundary, making it a prime spot for collaborative gameplay. Redcliffe’s layout, with its well-spaced points of interest and beachfront access, adds to its appeal.
Building a Stronger Community
The dedicated local community is a big part of Pokémon GO’s resurgence in Queensland. Players have taken advantage of the Niantic Wayfarer website to submit new points of interest for the game, contributing to the region’s growing number of locations for catching Pokémon. Eisenhauer and other community leaders are working on growing this network further. Niantic, the game’s developer, still recognises Brisbane’s enthusiasm and may bring an official event to the region in the future.
Published 6-Sept-2024
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