Pokemon GO: Mall turns lobby into Pokemon Arena for Gym battles

Augmented Reality game actually augments reality

Pokemon GO has taken the world by storm since its release in July. All over the world, Pokemon fans old and new have begun going outside and having actual adventures in search of Pokemon to capture and gyms to conquer. Hell, it's probably going to help clean up the gene pool by facilitating Darwinian selection.

Aside from some issues with Niantic's handling of certain issues, what's not to love about a game that's doing more for society's fitness than any fad workout/diet? Seriously, it's even helping hospitalized children with their recoveries.

In light of Pokemon GO's far-reaching appeal, businesses and entrepreneurs are adapting. Some better than others, but none as well as Colonie Center Mall in Albany, New York. Since the mall lobby has been designated a Pokemon Gym, they've decided to go all in and turn the lobby into a real life Pokemon Arena! Complete with floor logo, trainers, team banners, and real corporate sponsors:

Pokemon GO MallThis is literal augmented reality…

It's fairly crazy how Niantic doesn't even have to pay for its own marketing, everyone's doing it for them. Far better than they ever could, I might add. Wouldn't you agree?