Comment by gjsman-1000
12 hours ago
> I should not need to work for free, give my data, and god knows what to play a game.
The game is free, with doing so being the price. If you don't like that price, you can always pay $80 for a traditional Pokemon game.
As such, I don't get the handwringing. There is no such thing as a free lunch and never will be.
Is there an $80 Pokémon game where walking outside is a core mechanic and that facilitates interaction with a huge network of users?
You might be surprised. Various games have come with both. One iteration (the 3DS remake of Gold/Silver) even came with a pedometer that allowed you to level up by walking around: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9walker
Nintendo's StreetPass tech may also qualify: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/StreetPass
A long time ago they had the games that came with a "Pokéwalker", which was a pedometer that acted as a sort of mini-game, but that's the closest they got to a mainstream game where you have to get off the couch. It almost meets your specification (well, did, I'm sure the internet part is offline so you're not connected anymore), but it's obviously not exactly what you meant.
Take a walk while you play your switch
"We've got pokemon go at home!"