The phenomenal interest in the Pokemon GO game has attracted some serious attention from academics.

And none more so than the Serious Games academics at the University of the Sunshine Coast, who will stage USC’s first Pokemon GO walk at its Sippy Downs campus on Friday 22 July from 3.30-5.30pm.

The event is open to staff, students and the community, with details at the public Facebook group ‘Pokemon GO at USC’ at www.facebook.com/groups/pokemonGOatUSC/?fref=nf

USC this year introduced Australia’s first Bachelor of Serious Games.

Associate Lecturer in Serious Games Vikram Saran said serious games went far beyond just providing entertainment for players.

“Serious games are used for education, healthcare, marketing and more, and this rapidly growing industry is all about solving real-world problems using the universal appeal of play.”

Mr Saran, whose current research includes improving gender-based animation sets in games, said he viewed the arrival of Pokemon GO as the biggest release yet of a serious game.

“Staff involved in Serious Games at USC are super excited by all of the stories about improved mental and physical wellbeing that Pokemon GO has given us,” he said. “Let's see if we can make some of our own stories.

Details of USC’s Bachelor of Serious Games are at www.usc.edu.au/ar354

— Clare McKay