While today isn’t a nationally recognized holiday, it is certainly a day that stands out from the rest for millions of people across the globe. The excitement the moment you awake, the nervousness of the choices to come, and the comfort of a professor welcoming you to a new world – yes, it must be release day for the new Pokémon Game: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon is a Japanese media franchise that focuses on a universe with creatures known as Pokémon. In this world, trainers capture these Pokémon and collect them, train them for battles, or enter them in contests. The game franchise has put out 9 generations of adorable and fearsome Pokémon creatures, with the release of 122 games, and 440 millions copies sold. These games have captured the hearts of players since 1996, and continue to do so present-day. Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the two newest games to hit the market, and they are debuting a brand new world and whole new generation of Pokémon to love.

Another Pokémon game in particular that is enjoyed by many fans of the franchise is Pokémon Go. Pokémon Go is a mobile app that combines gaming and the real world, where players find Pokémon, Poke-Stops, and gym battles in real-world locations using a GPS feature. For some, it has sparked a renewed love for the franchise that some cared for deeply as children. Here’s an academic paper on one student’s “gratification” for the app.

Have you played Pokémon Go? If not, you can start right here at Eastern, because we’re chock-full of Poke-stops and Gyms:

Poke-Stops at EU
-Eagle Statue (in front of Walton Hall)
-Warner Memorial Library
-Water Wheel
-Eastern University Gazebo (between Walton and Doane Hall)
-Waterways And Wetlands sign (between Doane Hall and Gymnasium)
-Olson Field
-Workman Hall
-Sparrowk Hall
-Eagle Hall
-Eagle Learning Center
-Eastern University sign (at the corner of Eagle and King of Prussia road)

Gyms at EU
-Eastern University Fountain (behind Walton Hall)
-Eastern University Gate House (next to Doane Hall)
-McInnis Hall
-Thomas Drive Plaque (upper McInnis parking lot)
-Fowler Hall

Here at Eastern, your three librarians all have one big thing in common: we are all huge Pokémon fans. We’ve all been itching for the release day of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and we already have our starters picked out! Chelsea, the Systems librarian, is choosing Quaxly, the water duck Pokémon. Carly, the Technical Services librarian, is choosing Sprigatito, the grass cat Pokémon. Robyn, the Reference and Outreach Librarian, is choosing Fuecoco, the fire crocodilian Pokémon.

Which starter will you be choosing? And are you as excited for this new game as we are? Let us know on Twitter!