15 Ways 'Pokémon Go' Has Already Made Our Lives Stranger

Last Thursday, Nintendo and Niantec teamed up to release Pokémon Go, a mobile game that uses "augmented reality" to display Pokémon in real-world locations. The object of the game is to catch these Pokémon through your phone's camera in designated "pokéstops" around your city, train them up, then battle others in public spaces known as gyms.

Even though it's only been out for five days, it's already taking the world by storm. In one day, the game sent Nintendo's stock soaring by 23 percent and the amount of downloads on Android devices suggest the game is already bigger than Tinder and is poised to overtake Twitter.

What's more, the game's use of real-world locations is encouraging players to spend long periods of time walking outside and exploring the areas around them to find new Pokémon.

Since Pokémon Gois such a unique game, it only makes sense that its surge in popularity would take some odd forms in the "real" world. Still, these 15 phenomena brought about by the game's rise managed to defy our wildest expectations.

COMMENT and let us know what odd sights you've seen thanks to Pokémon Go.

1. Game-related frustration has already gotten someone fired.

An Australian expat working in Singapore posted a curse-laden rant about Singapore's lack of pokéstops on Facebook. The problem was that he was incredibly insulting towards Singapore itself, leading local users to track down his employer and share what he posted with them.

The firm's CEO posted an apology and announced that the employee had been let go.

2. Players have taken over Central Park.

A short video posted on Twitter showed a mass of people staring at their phones and perfectly sums up how massive the game already is. A park of that size would likely have more than a few pokéstops, after all.

3. There have been Pokémon Go injuries.

They've mostly taken the form of twisted ankles on rough terrain and collisions with trees, but one player cut himself up after attempting to play the game on a skateboard.

4. There's a gym at the Westboro Baptist Church.

Fortunately, it isn't run by the infamous anti-gay hate group but rather a clever gamer named Pinknose. What makes this person so clever?

They've decided to guard the gym with a pink Clefairy named Loveislove.

5. A Wyoming teen discovered a dead body while trying to catch a Pikachu.

Shayla Wiggins' search took her to Riverton's Wind River, where she found a man laying face down in the water and called 911. Police are not suspecting foul play at this time.

6. A hacked version of the game has anti-Android malware in it.

While something like this would normally show why you should get a legitimate version of the game, the problem is that Pokémon Go isn't available everywhere yet.

Players are advised to check the app's permissions and not to download it if it asks to make phone calls and edit your texts. Only the malicious version will ask to do this.

7. The game is putting police in an awkward position.

The Duvall, Washington police department found out they were a pokéstop when officers caught players lurking behind the station and crouching in the bushes. Since this is unsafe for everyone involved, the PD made an official statement on Facebook telling players to ask at the desk before searching for Pokémon.

On a personal note, one officer said, "When I started in this profession never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that there would come a day when I would have to ask the public not to chase imaginary creatures behind the station at night."

8. Armed robbers are luring Pokémon Go players into traps.

Four Missouri teens have been charged with holding players at gunpoint after putting a beacon on a pokéstop to make it more popular. This is called a "lure module" and it's often used to tip players off to good spots. Sadly, not everyone has such good intentions.

9. Some enterprising drivers are becoming Pokémon Go chauffeurs.

Players often complain about all the walking involved with Pokémon Go, so a series of ads on Craigslist have sprung up offering to drive them around instead.

10. Pokémon Go may have mental health benefits.

While it's too early for any serious research, players living with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder say the game is motivating them to go outside and exercise.

Research has shown exercise is beneficial for mental health issues but hard to actually start, so the game seems to be helping people break through that barrier.

11. One Tumblr user found a way to "cheat" at the game.

Using a drone, duct tape, and an app that lets him control his phone from another computer, a programmer named Liam found a way to catch Pokémon without moving.

The problem is that the app only works when his drone is in WiFi range so he's kind of stuck unless the Pokémon are in his backyard.

12. Pokémon can show up in the strangest places.

Some users reported catching Pokémon in their bathrooms, but one player saw one pop up in the hospital while his wife was giving birth.

And yes, he caught it.

13. One player discovered that his house was a gym.

Gyms are usually tied to public landmarks, so it's not so common for players to meet up somewhere on their quest to be a Pokémon master. However, this is exactly what happened to Boon Sheridan because his home used to be a church, which made it seem more public than it actually was.

14. Customers are choosing restaurants based on Pokémon Go.

Bars and restaurants with pokéstops or lures near them are reportedly getting more business purely due to their virtual real estate. As you might expect, some of them have caught on to the trend and are buying lure modules to increase their drawing power.

15. Most importantly, it's getting people out and about, actually meeting new people.

And trying to catch 'em all, obviously.

COMMENT and tell us about your Pokémon Go adventures so far.