Title Image: Angel Polacco

Pokémon Go is the latest phenomenon that is taking over the world. Of course, the Pokémon franchise has always been a very successful entity, taking over the realm of video games, television and even trading cards.

Image source: Museum of Islamic Art Qatar, Twitter

Today, Pokémon has reached our mobile devices and has made it absolutely necessary for us to have the application open wherever we go. The purpose of the game is to earn experience points, level up your player, catch all the Pokémon and make them the strongest they can be, and dominate at various gyms with the team you’re loyal to (Mystic, Valor, and Instinct). Of course, the game relies solely on how lucky a user is to come across rare and strong Pokémon, but fortunately in Doha this process is made much more efficient by a certain group. PokémonGoQatar (PGQ) is an extremely useful resource that helps players in Doha by providing tips, sharing Pokémon locations, organizing events and meet-ups and much more!

Ammar Alqamash is one of PGQ’s creators. Alqamash, a Yemeni national, started the PGQ group on the day the application launched in the App Store. Talk about being up-to-date.

“We expected this game would be a great success. We saw it as a great opportunity to bring this community closer,” Alqamash, 27, said.

Speaking of great success, Alqamash also added that the popularity of the PGQ group grew more than he expected.

“Everyone is playing this game and 90% of the players are active on a daily basis. We are talking about different ages, nationalities and backgrounds here,” Alqamash said.

The PGQ group tries to contact and stay in touch with players and have accomplished this through the creation of different social media accounts. Helpful information and tips are also offered to players who want to know the location of a certain Pokémon or if they have any queries about the game. PGQ have also created Facebook and various chat groups for the different teams that players have “sworn loyalty to” in the game so that they can stay connected and dominate gyms together. In addition to Facebook, PGQ is also on Twitter, Snapchat, Telegram, and Whatsapp.

The PGQ group doesn’t just connect players on social media, it also tries to get players to connect in the real world as well.

“So far, we’ve done a Pokémon movie screening, Pokéwalks, coffee gatherings and we’re now working on two big events that we are excited to announce soon,” Alqamash said. “We are very satisfied with the all events we have organized. Players have enjoyed their time and gave great feedback.”

Alqamash also said that players connect easily in person as the environment is very positive. The number of people who attend these events increase each time as well. It’s more like a community where players can engage with each other and interact both in the realm of Pokémon and to get to know each other in the real world as well.

“We are very lucky to have different cultures and nationalities in Qatar. This rich mix of cultures is valuable and some people can’t appreciate it yet,” Alqamash said. “A simple game can be the start of getting people closer to each other. This is what we aim for.”

Alqamash has been a fan of the Pokémon franchise since its inception in 1998.

“It’s part of our childhood memories. To me, and to most of the Pokémon Go players this is not just a game. The nostalgic part is what keeps us playing,” he said.

At the moment, Alqamash is the sole person who runs the PGQ group. He received help in beginning the PGQ initiative from a friend, and also has people helping in the management of different teams and event organizations. Without all the help and the efforts of different people, this would never exist, Alqamash said.

Some goals of PGQ are to keep supporting the players of the game through positive and fun events, as well as to inspire the youth to start similar initiatives that bring people together, said Alqamash.

“A special thanks goes to everyone who helped in making this community, and a big shout out to all of Pokémon Go players out there, they’re the best fans you can ever have.”

Are you a fan of Pokémon Go? Have you been to any of the events or meet-ups? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

AngelPolacco

Start a discussion