Pokemon GO.jpg

"Pokemon Go" is a new augmented reality game that uses Google Maps data to populate the real world with Nintendo's titular creatures. It can be a lonely affair at times. But it doesn't have to be.

(Eder Campuzano/The Oregonian/OregonLive)

"Pokemon Go," the mobile game based on Nintendo's best-selling creature catching series, has been out for a little less than a week and it's already gained itself quite the following.

At its core, the handheld video game series has always been about community, whether it's collecting, trading or battling.

Here in Portland, it's easy to spot a fellow "Pokemon Go" player -- if you catch someone standing in the middle of a hiking trail frantically swiping at his or her smartphone screen, you're likely in good company.

But other than watching people in the park like a weirdo, how else can you find fellow Pokemon fans in and around Bridge City? Here are a few tips.

Look for PokeStops with hearts pouring out of them

These PokeStops attract wild critters for 30 minutes at a time.

The Lure Module is an in-game item that attracts Pokemon to a landmark for 30 minutes. The item's timely nature means that not only will you likely encounter the person who dispatched it, but you'll also run into folks eager to participate in a marathon catching session.

On the flip side, dispatching a Lure Module or two in downtown Portland on a nice day may be a great way to kick off a "Pokemon Go" marathon and makes friends along the way. Heck, when I noticed the above Lure-activated PokeStop outside the Oregonian offices, I took a quick break and made three new friends from the floor below us.

You may get lucky and snag a Module during a trip to one of downtown Portland's many PokeStops, but it's more likely you'll have to shell out some of that sweet, sweet microtransaction money to snag one.

Play it on the bus

Even TriMet is getting on the "Pokemon Go" fun. The transit agency used the game's release to publish a PSA about keeping doorways clear.

If you are attempting to catch a Pokémon on MAX, please refrain from battling near doors and be mindful when using Poké Balls around other riders. Thank you. #PokemonGo Posted by TriMet on Thursday, July 7, 2016

Of course, it may have merely been a response to one intrepid reporter's tweets about looking like a lunatic while playing on the bus.

It's super effective! 😜 — TriMet (@trimet) July 7, 2016

Still, I've chatted about the game with at least one or two passengers per bus trip since its launch -- either I noticed somebody else playing or vice-versa. We nerds tend to have no shame about approaching one another when it comes to these pursuits.

Check the Portland subreddit

It seems Bridge City's redditors are pretty keen on "Pokemon Go." A megathread dedicated to the game is one of two pinned posts on the site's front page right now.

In it, folks are posting about team allegiances, organizing bar crawls and more. The game's release spurred all sorts of Pokemon-related posts, so there's little doubt this will be a good place to discover like-minded friends.

Join one of the game's many Oregon- and Portland-centric Facebook groups

The Portland group probably has the best Facebook community so far. There's also a group event planned for July 13 aptly titled "Route 1," where members will meet at the Hollywood and Northeast 42nd Avenue MAX station to explore and take on gyms together.

(For the uninitiated, Route 1 is the first patch of wilderness in the "Pokemon" games where players can catch their own critters.)

Another great community is the one set up for Portland State University, although a connection to the school isn't a prerequisite for joining. The Oregon group is also fairly active -- it's also one of the few open groups on Facebook, so you can browse its posts before joining.

Or, you know, just go outside and play it

When you see someone walking through a city park, head buried in their phone rather than taking in the natural majesty around them, you've probably found a "Pokemon Go" player. And I haven't yet approached a fellow Pokemon enthusiast who rebuffed my inquiries.

Heck, I might even start lugging around my Nintendo 3DS just in case anyone else is raring for a battle in "Pokemon Omega Ruby" or "Alpha Sapphire."

Break out the sneakers and Poké Balls! #PokemonGO is now available in the US, Aus and NZ! pic.twitter.com/2wpL88LSIb — Niantic, Inc. (@NianticLabs) July 7, 2016

--Eder Campuzano

503.221.4344

@edercampuzano

ecampuzano@oregonian.com