Since its inception,Pokemon GOhas encouraged gamers to get up and get out there to find their favorite pocket monsters. Niantic has partnered with a number of groups and companies in the past to createPokeStops, encouraging foot traffic to businesses while also keeping players engaged and checking back on the app wherever they go.
That same principle is now being applied to getting players to donate blood to those in need. The Japanese Red Cross andPokemon GOare now sharing a partnership to reward players who donate blood withPokemon GOgifts.
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In an official post on thePokemon GOJapanese website, the developer revealed the partnership. The Japanese Red Cross blood donation locations are now becoming PokeStops in the game, encouraging players to visit andspin the PokeStopto get useful items inPokemon GO. According to the news release, ‘specially designed’ gifts will be awarded by these PokeStops, though it’s unclear how they may vary from the standard items received from spinning a PokeStop.
Of course, due to the mechanics of the game, it may be possible for players to simply get close enough and spin the PokeStop without donating blood. However, the hope is that anyone whoregularly walks withPokemon GOand goes through the trouble of going there will consider making a donation, as well. Blood is constantly in demand to help those in need, whether they have an ongoing health issue, have experienced a major physical trauma, or are undergoing a life-saving surgical procedure. Since there are multiple blood types and donated blood can’t be saved indefinitely, constant donations are necessary to maintain a supply. The Japanese Red Cross seems hopeful that this will make a big impact, as it’s requesting that anyone interested in donating make an appointment to avoid overcrowding or long lines.
This isn’t the first time in recent memory that a Nintendo-associated property has been tied in to real-world health issues and needs.Mario Kartwas recently utilized to help encourage people to go out and getCOVID-19 booster shots. The connection between those two subjects is tenuous at best, and it’s not clear if it had any impact on those who had yet to be vaccinated. However, encouraging people who already walk around regularly to find Pokemon to give blood isn’t a bad idea. They’ll likely be of a relative level of fitness and health, making them more likely to be good candidates to give.
