Pokémon GO brings exploration to downtown Akron timed with
University of Akron student orientation weekend
Aug. 26 and 27 event will help students create lasting connections to the city
Akron, OH - The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has teamed up with Niantic, Inc., the developer and publisher of Pokémon GO, to encourage Akron residents, visitors and University of Akron students to connect to the downtown neighborhood using the innovative augmented-reality experience of the popular mobile game.

People playing Pokémon GO in downtown Akron
Akron will give people the chance to play Pokémon GO together, meet other players and enjoy a variety of real world experiences on Aug. 26 and 27, during The University of Akron's freshman orientation period, New Roo Weekend, which occurs just before classes begin.
Over the two-day period, the downtown corridor, already a favorite destination for fans of Pokémon GO, will include an increased number of temporary PokéStops, aligned with a map of local retailers and other downtown destinations. A dense collection of stops will connect The University of Akron to downtown attractions, encouraging players to experience the city's easy walkability and other offerings.
The two-day event will feature programming to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical world and explore how public places can foster connections between people. Public spaces will include charging stations and seating, as well as musicians and activities, to invite person-to-person connections amidst the heightened virtual gaming environment. A variety of programming will take place across downtown including drawing sessions, vendor areas, walking tours, photo opportunities and a social media scavenger hunt.
In addition to the specialized programming, the event will encourage players to participate in other activities planned in downtown Akron that weekend, including free admission to Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival's Saturday night performance of Victor Provost: The "Bright Eyes" Project and Joey DeFrancesco at Lock 3. A full list of activities taking place in downtown Akron on Aug. 26 and 27 can be found at downtownakron.com.
Niantic, Inc., the developer and publisher of Pokémon GO, and Knight Foundation recently announced a multiyear commitment to promote civic engagement in communities across the United States. These two organizations will support efforts to get citizens outside and exploring their towns through city-organized events.
Pokémon Go in downtown Akron 
"This will be such a great opportunity for new students to have some fun and explore all that downtown Akron has to offer. UA's location and connection with downtown Akron is one of the great benefits for students attending the University and we very much appreciate this partnership with the Knight Foundation, Downtown Akron Partnership and Niantic," said John Messina, UA vice president for student affairs.
 
"Akron continues to explore ways to keep and attract talent and create more downtown vibrancy. Encouraging University of Akron students to explore and interact with our city is central to this goal. Building on the popularity of Pokémon Go, this event will help showcase downtown's many offerings at the start of the academic year, and help connect people to place," said
Kyle Kutuchief, Knight Foundation program director for Akron.

Discovery and adventures on foot are at the core of Niantic's mission in all of our games,' said Vikram Grover, senior director of business development at Niantic, Inc. "The Knight Foundation, University of Akron and Downtown Akron Partnership have helped to curate a Pokémon GO experience in Akron that will give attendees an opportunity to explore the city like never before with fellow students and local residents." 
 
About Downtown Akron Partnership
The mission of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is to promote and build a vibrant and valuable downtown. DAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life to the heart of Akron. Through strategic marketing, clean and safe programs and management of downtown's resources, DAP works to promote downtown as a gathering place in the center of our community.
 
DAP's members include property owners, business leaders and government officials who want to improve the image of downtown as a safe, convenient location for businesses, working professionals and families. DAP is governed by a board of trustees as diverse as the interests of our city. DAP is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Akron Community Foundation and GAR Foundation.
 
About Knight Foundation:
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
 
About Niantic, Inc.
Niantic, Inc. builds mobile real-world experiences that foster fun, exploration, discovery and social interaction. Originally incubated within Google, Niantic, Inc., spun out in 2015, with investments from Google, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. The company's immersive real-world mobile game Ingress has been downloaded more than 15 million times and is played in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Niantic, Inc., also developed and published Pokémon GO, the real-world Pokémon game for iOS and Android mobile devices that has been downloaded more than 750 million times. For more information on Niantic, please visit nianticlabs.com.
 
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