Smartphone-addicts have another reason to stare into their screens. A new mobile game is keeping them riveted. Pokemon Go , launched by Japanese gaming company Nintendo , is using augmented reality to make them take to the streets in search of Pokemons (Pocket Monsters) while making pit stops at popular landmarks that are turned into virtual `gyms' and `Pokestops'.Vikram Pandian, a 24-year-old digital media manager who has been playing the game since its launch last week, says he sees many people around his home in Halasuru and workplace in Koramangala busy playing the game. “I have even bumped into people on the streets while playing it,“ he says. He has no complaints, however. “It made me get my lazy self out of bed early on a Sunday morning to go to our neighbourhood park that I had never visited in my life!“ Japanese anime Pokemon was introduced to Indian television in 2003.The new game marries technology with the world of Pokemons -where people catch pocket monsters that have special powers, fight other catchers to win badges. Real-world locations are used through the phone's GPS and camera to catch popular onscreen Pokemons and proceed to various levels. These creatures are spread across places and one has to walk around to spot them.En route, popular landmarks are turned into pokestops or gyms. While the former helps people accumulate collectibles to catch pokemons, the latter is where you can fight other trainers. Popular pokestops include Indira nagar, Koramangala , Shivajinagar, Malleswaram, Whitefield, Yelahanka and HSR Layout. The game's core user is the tech-savvy Bengalurean between ages 20 and 40.Cashing in on the hype, 25-year-old Supreet Pal Singh is already planning to create a Facebook event page for Pokemon walks and meetups. “I downloaded the game four days ago and I end up spending more than three hours on it daily,“ adds the applications engineer at Fybr.Picture: ReutersAlthough the game is officially available only in the USA, Australia, New Zealand (and is expected to launch soon in Japan, the UK and Europe), Android users in India are downloading it through stand-alone, third-party installers like APK. I-phone users have a more complicated route.However, an account in American Android and iOS app stores help direct downloads. “A bunch of my friends are shifting to American stores,“ said Noopur Raval, a PhD student at UC Irvine who is visiting the city . She explained, however, that the game may not be conducive for Bengaluru, given the poor shape of its pavements and heavy traffic on the roads. “There are a lot of potholes and broken stones. Especially at night, it is dangerous (for playing).“Picture: AFPVisual artist Shelton Lobo says that the game is a new concept that needs some improvement. “In the US, where the game is officially out, encroachment became an issue as people entered other people's homes in search of a Pokemon. People should be advised and children should never be left to walk alone,“ he says. “You should ideally be old enough to take care of yourself and be aware of your surroundings. I was led to the end of a shady parking spot where I found my Pokemon sitting near a cow. Such areas are hazardous and unsuspecting people could be victims to this game.“Pandian said that another drawback is the battery consumption. “ At least 40% of the battery drains after just about 45 minutes of playing,“ he said, explaining that internet data also drains out quickly .Prabhath Gokarn, a 29-year-old MBA graduate, warned that users should watch against downloading malware. “The files could carry a trojan and could affect your phone.Without your knowing, your personal information might be at risk,“ he said.