Play Pokemon Go, Get Hit In The Head With Pole

We've heard of people walking into traffic, off cliffs, and being robbed while playing Pokemon Go. In the latest mishap involving the location-based virtual reality game, Pokemon Go, a man verbally assaulted a teenager and hit him in the head with a pole.

Jayson Louis Lingen, 57, has been charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon. He has a previous conviction for the same charge dating from 2013.

On the evening of August 17, a 17-year-old boy was playing Pokemon Go in the 70 block of Aquarium Way in Long Beach. Lingen allegedly yelled at the boy and then hit him in the head with a metal pole.

Authorities were called and Lingen was arrested and taken into custody. Bail is asked to be set at $100,000.

If convicted as charged, Lingen could receive a maximum sentence of 13 years in state prison.

Pokémon Go (stylized as Pokémon GO) is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS and Android devices. It was initially released in selected countries in July 2016. In the game, players use a mobile device's GPS capability to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, who appear on the screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player. The game supports in-app purchases for additional in-game items.

Pokémon Go was released to mixed reviews, with critics praising the game's concept and the incentive to be more active in the real world, while criticizing frequent technical issues apparent at launch. Despite such reviews, it quickly became a global phenomenon and was one of the most used mobile apps, having been downloaded by more than 130 million people worldwide. It was credited with popularizing location-based and augmented reality gaming, as well as for promoting physical activity and helping local business grow. However, it has also attracted controversy for contributing to accidents and becoming a public nuisance at some locations. Multiple governments expressed concerns over the game's security, with legislation regarding it being passed in some countries as a result.