Charlotte is trying to catch ‘em all on Pokemon Go app

Virtual Pokemon have been spotted all over the Charlotte area.

Newcomers and long-time fans of Pokemon have been using the Pokemon Go app, which came out last week, on their cell phones to hunt down the fictional creatures across the Queen City.

This Saturday at 9 p.m., there will be an event for fans to come together in Romare Bearden Park and hunt for new Pokemon.

“Romare Bearden Park is a goldmine. The park has seven Pokestops alone and bunch walking distance away throughout Downtown Charlotte along with gyms,” the Facebook event said.

Charlotte Pokemon Go users created Facebook pages and a GroupMe to help fans connect.

The app takes users’ cameras, GPS locators and clocks to create the world in which the Pokemon live.

The GPS and clock decide when and where the Pokemon will appear. The camera allows users to capture them by throwing their Poke Balls at the virtual figure.

The game requires players to search their cities finding Pokemon, typically around landmarks but sometimes in controversial places. A map on Reddit says that there is a location in William Ingram Memorial Garden, off Little Hope Road.

Players can hunt for Pokemon through traps or by stumbling upon them. Players can also battle other Pokemon at in-game gyms. In Charlotte gyms can be found all over, including at the Epicentre in uptown and Freedom Park.

Players can chose from three factions; Instinct, Valor and Mystic. These factions allow for a capture-and-defend aspect of the game. Players can try to capture other faction’s gyms or defend their own.

The app has contributed to a body being found and was the bait four thieves used while robbing unsuspecting Pokemon Go users.

The Durham Bulls will be opening its park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to app users for $5. All of the money raised will benefit Second Chance Pet Adoptions.

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Charlotte is trying to catch ‘em all on Pokemon Go app."