Like many others, Boon Sheridan downloaded and fired up the new Pokémon Go game on Friday. But unlike his fellow enthusiasts, he found something strange: His own home was designated as a “gym” in the app, making it a place where users can go to train and fight Pokémon.
The app saw skyrocketing popularity in recent days as it climbed to the top of the charts on Android and iTunes — and Sheridan’s home in Holyoke, Mass. saw skyrocketing popularity, too. By Sunday night, he told BuzzFeed News, about 50 people have walked or driven up to his house, lingering outside to play the game.
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The mixup seems to stem from the fact that Sheridan lives in a converted church, and churches are a common landmark on the app. (This trend in itself spawned some snarky social media commentary over the weekend, and even led to some trolling between the Westboro Baptist Church and players of the game.)
Odd as it was to see unannounced visitors outside his house, Sheridan says he doesn’t mind too much. “I’d be cool with it if I could have some control over the hours,” he said. “I’d rather them get it sorted out a little bit better.”
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