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Man Quits Job to Play Pokemon Go Full-Time

"I wanted to have an adventure."

243 Comments

The crazy Pokemon Go stories just keep coming. Today's item is news that a 24-year-old man from New Zealand has quit his job to play the monster-catching game full-time.

The man, Tom Currie, told The Guardian that he quit his job in Auckland last week to begin a two-month trip across New Zealand in an attempt to catch 'em all. Literally. His goal is to catch all 151 Pokemon in the game.

No Caption Provided

Currie booked 20 bus trips and has already visited six towns on the South Island. He says he caught Pokemon everywhere he stopped and already has 90 of the game's 151 Pokemon.

"I wanted to have an adventure," Currie said. "I have been working for six years and I was desperate for a break. And Pokemon gave me the chance to live that dream."

On at least one occasion, Currie stayed up until 3 AM on his Poke-hunt. He's also staying in shape, as every day he walks "miles and miles."

Currie is saving money by traveling frugally; he sleeps on friend's couches or in backpacker dorms. Go to The Guardian to get the full story.

Pokemon Go is a huge hit. Released last week, the free-to-play title is now the most popular mobile game in United States history. On the business side, its release has helped Nintendo shares rise 86 percent, boosting the company's market value by $17 billion.

There have also been some scary stories around Pokemon Go. Just this week, a 15-year-old was hit by a car after playing the game, while a man was stabbed while searching for Pokemon. Additionally, two men fell off an oceanside cliff on their hunt for creatures and a man crashed his car into a tree while reportedly playing the game behind the wheel. Also, a Pokemon Go player in New Hampshire found a dead body in a brook while playing the game this week.

For more on Pokemon Go, check out GameSpot's review.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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TheZeroPercent

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--haha
--i can not lie
--these pokemon 'stories/news'
--just keep blowing my goddamned mind(with their uniqueness and power of true intrigue)

--i mean
--im used to following gaming sites(and their news)
--and
--it is usually news that is SOOOO normal
--like
--"video game is being made next year~dlc pack being sold today"(and every one is all like BOOOOO!!!)
--but
--these pokemon stories make gaming sites like WOOOW
--WWWWTF!!!!

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DrunkenPunk800

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Edited By DrunkenPunk800

@TheZeroPercent: - you

- need

- to

- go

- back

- to

- school

- and

- learn

- how

- to

- write

- properly

2 • 
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RedWave247

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@TheZeroPercent:

-Would
-You
-Please
-Stop
-Posting
-Like
-This?

7 • 
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TheZeroPercent

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@RedWave247:
--dude follow me back!
--this place is a lot more fun if we all play together
--this isnt germany
--and you arent hitler

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RedWave247

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@TheZeroPercent: Stop using that posting style for six months and I'll follow you back.

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TheZeroPercent

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@RedWave247:
--quit being a grammar nazi
--seriously
--go look at your texts
--and quit being a hypocrite also
--im trying to be your friend
--friends dont tell each other they cant be friends unless the other one changes

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RedWave247

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@TheZeroPercent: I prefer the term "grammar guru." It's more positive.

And I didn't realize you had access to my phone texts. If you were, you'd see I take pride in writing texts with at least semi-proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. As a writer (specifically a published novelist), I take any chance to practice my writing, even in phone texts. It's second nature for me.

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TheZeroPercent

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@RedWave247:

"...I take pride in writing texts with at least semi-proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation..."
--well it is great that you are a writer(congrats)
--but you must understand
--that WELL over the majority of the world
--has given up on proper grammar in their texts(and most of their daily internet based writing)

--when we stand on the outskirts of humanity
--and refuse to accept other's realities(unless they are exactly as our own)
--we have either become insane
--or old fashioned

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Javier

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In the year 2002 I went back to work from lunch two hours late because I was playing Mafia on my PC.
As today, I still feel bad about it.


I see a harsh future for humanity.

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Avatar image for dribblesbarbax
dribblesbarbax

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Best of luck in your next interview when they ask you why you left your last job.

7 • 
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masscrack

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@dribblesbarbax: erhm i dont know any interview where you have to tell them your life story.. just don't mention it, its that simple.. they have no way of knowing, and wouldn't bother to check.

2 • 
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bunchanumbers

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Living the dream! Makes me want to quit everything, fly to New Zealand, and follow him with a boom box thats playing the pokemon theme song.

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Xristophoros

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for what purpose and to what end? it's not like he will get a prize or something... maybe just bragging rights that he caught them all? these people are sick and need guidance. the world was better off without this game...

2 • 
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coulman

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@Xristophoros: In my town, there are more people going to the parks now because of this game. Some of the players have formed a litter cleanup group and clean up trash as they play.

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KamiNoBeniMizu

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Edited By KamiNoBeniMizu

@Xristophoros: Hey, at least someone will get a job now that he quit his job to catch em all! So stop focusing on the "bad" part. Actually, it's not bad at all. Others quit their jobs to smoke drugs and over dose, this one will just play a game until he catches all 151 original Pokémons! But by the time he does, Nintendo will add 100 more. I am pretty sure they will at least release up to generation 3.

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o311rocks

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@Xristophoros: Maybe he can write a book about his adventure.

2 • 
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RedWave247

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@Xristophoros: Fun and relaxation come to mind.

2 • 
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xantufrog

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xantufrog  Moderator

poor guy had been working for SIX WHOLE YEARS!?!?! Wow. I can't imagine what it would be like to hold down a steady job until the ripe old age of 24. I'd want to quit and play games after all that too!

;-)

8 • 
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RedWave247

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@xantufrog: I don't know. Six years without a vacation can sure feel like longer.

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dlCHIEF58

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@RedWave247: Where was it said he never had a vacation? All that was said was he worked for 6 years and needed a break. Oh that is SOOOOO rough, especially at that age.

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RedWave247

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@dlCHIEF58: *shrug* I'll fully admit, that was empty speculation and projection on my part.

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xantufrog

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Edited By xantufrog  Moderator

@RedWave247: well, yeah, without any kind of vacation whatsoever - I get it. I'm being snarky. That being said, other than mandated holidays and/or the odd long weekend I've probably only had one 2-week vacation in about 8 years

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RedWave247

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@xantufrog: And sometimes, I imagine you'd need more than that. Depending on how stressful your job is, of course. From the article, it says he's taking two months off to do this. Maybe it's the kind of job where he can do that and come back. Like a leave of absence, a sabbatical, or something. Very silly reason to do so, but still. People have done sillier things on the sabbaticals, I'm sure.

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xantufrog

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Edited By xantufrog  Moderator

@RedWave247: I really think you are taking my post way too seriously...

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RedWave247

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Edited By RedWave247

@xantufrog: Eh, just discussing the matter.

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xantufrog

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xantufrog  Moderator

@RedWave247: ok - serious moment then: I would love to take off 2 months to explore the countryside and play games.

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RedWave247

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Edited By RedWave247

@xantufrog: I'd love to, but I don't have any money to my name.

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dragotx

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Edited By dragotx

@RedWave247: I used to work with a guy that took a month off every year to travel the country going to different amusement parks to ride all the different roller coasters. That was the only time he took off all year. This isn't really any sillier than that. And it's New Zealand, I'd LOVE to be able to spend a couple of months traveling there, from what I've seen it's a beautiful country.

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o311rocks

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@dragotx: only a month? lol most people are lucky to get 2 weeks paid vacation a year let alone an entire month.

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dragotx

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@o311rocks: He also had over 10 years tenure with the company.

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dribblesbarbax

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@dragotx: Thing is here the article doesnt make it clear if he quit his job or just took 2 months off. If he quit his job solely based on catching Pokemon then he deserves to fall off a cliff.

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dragotx

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Edited By dragotx

@dribblesbarbax: Deserves to fall off a cliff, really? Just for doing something he obviously really wants to? Judgmental much?

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senorbusyman

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he couldve just waited for the holiday season to do his "adventure" thats usually when the vacation kicks in for the worlds employees, including me. imagine this shit on his resume. "i quit my previous job to start a traveling adventure by playing PokemonGo"

3 • 
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wtf_666

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"man" quit his job?????

lol chasing kiddie cartoon characters... I doubt his coworkers at Chuck E Cheese will miss him.

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deactivated-5802d4d9371b3

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@wtf_666: They don't have Chuck E Cheese in New Zealand. Next time you write a joke, you may want to research it, genius

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dirthurts

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@wtf_666: Says the guy commenting on a gaming blog with a cartoon avatar and a satanic reference in his alias...

You're so much better.

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jonnybrownieboy

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I get that this guy needed a holiday, we all do but to quit your job? Pokemon isint going to put food on your table and judging by the fact that hes crashing on couches, hes not financially stable enough to do this. Some people need to get there priorities straightened out. Work first,play later.

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TacticaI

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@jonnybrownieboy: It'd be incredibly stupid to splurge on nicer room & board just to play Pokemon GO, the frugality of the trip is a wise choice.

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Suaron_x

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Edited By Suaron_x

If he quit McDonald's (or one of whatever places that pay a minimum wage in New Zealand) I could sorta understand. If he quit a decent paying middle/upper class job...well that company would be better off without him. The really sad part is, if it was an upper class job, I can guarantee you his rich parents have the political clout to get him hired into a higher paying job two years from now. Since he's freeloading with friends and living frugally on his adventure, he likely doesn't come from wealth.

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deactivated-5802d4d9371b3

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@Suaron_x: Unlike here in the states, minimum wage is actually respectable. Seriously, do your research; people in Australia and New Zealand can afford creature comforts like a house and a car because they make $16 an hour. The fact is, you know nothing about New Zealand's economy and nothing about this guy. New Zealand didn't have a coked-up orangutan who reads books upside-down come into their government and destroy it over the course of eight years, so things are actually going decently for them, unlike this cesspool. This guy will be fine when he goes looking for work. We all need a break from time to time, hell, I quit customer service almost two years ago to pursue my Masters and do nothing else.

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adkcrazox

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So sad.

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nefphlegm

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@adkcrazox: What's sad about it? A man in the prime of his life decides to quit his job and use a game application to be the catalyst for exploration. He's not just catching pokemon... he's visiting places he's probably never been to and meeting different people from many walks of life.

4 • 
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zzamaro

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@nefphlegm: Or he could travel/go out with his friends, if he has, instead of relying on an app to get out of his reality.

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howthegodzkill

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If there are any sane people left out there reading this message. It's time to stock up on batteries and bottled water now.

12 • 
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jshah500

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@howthegodzkill: I laughed so hard

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Balrogbane

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@howthegodzkill: The batteries are for the Pokémon Go phone right? Right?

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jedicommand7

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@howthegodzkill: And then sell them to go players as they walk by during the summer?

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howthegodzkill

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@jedicommand7: Never mind.... it doesn't concern you. Will your family even miss you?

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