From Catching Pokémon to Catching Truths: Scientific Inquiry Among PokémonGo Gamers

This study investigates the scientific reasoning practices exhibited by gamers in the early PokémonGo community. Through document analysis of forum posts, it reveals how gamers systematically observed phenomena, formed hypotheses, and tested them using empirical data—particularly in response to gameplay uncertainties. These practices mirror key elements of the scientific method, including experimentation, comparative analysis, and peer validation. The findings highlight how gaming contexts can foster rational inquiry and data-driven collaboration, offering insights into how informal gaming experiences may cultivate foundational scientific literacies.