‘Pokémon Go’: New Law Bans ‘Pokémon Go’ In A U.S. County And Future Augmented Reality Games [Video]

It seems Valentine's Day is not in the hearts of everyone. "Pokémon Go" players might be elated by the first event in 2017, alongside the game's content update. There is a group in Milwaukee that is not happy with the surge of new Pokémon Go players.

A recent report indicated that a new ordinance was approved last Feb. 2, 2017, by the Milwaukee Country Board that will require "location-based augmented reality games" such as "Pokémon Go," to secure permits before including public county park locations as hunting ground landmarks, Digital Trends reported.

The new ordinance seems to be specifically targeting "Pokémon Go" game developer Niantic, Inc. The law will not keep "Pokémon Go" players off the parks since it is specifically targeting the developer, however, it sets ground rules for developers who would want to use public parks and spaces as in-game landmarks for PokeStops and Gyms, despite the fact that PokeStops are virtual locations found in the real world.

According to Engadget, Milwaukee's ordinance is not a full ban but it does add a layer of red tape. Problems like these are nothing new to Niantic. "Pokémon Go" was banned in a French town last year, while China banned all AR games citing potential risks to personal and national security.

The consensus was raised when Milwaukee County Parks Development attempted but failed to hold Niantic responsible for damages to city parks caused by avid "Pokémon Go" players last year. City officials told the local newspaper the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that taxpayers were stuck with bills after Pokémon players left piles of trash and overflowing toilets in their wake.

The incidence of after-hour park violations increased that have security implications, increase of unauthorized ambulant vendors, traffic congestion, parking violations, trampled grass, as well as damages to sensitive flora and fauna areas, have all been attributed to "Pokémon Go" players.

The new law does not only affect "Pokémon Go," but will cover all current and future games that are location-based as well as augmented reality games. However, though the new ordinance received a "yes" vote at the committee level, it is not yet confirmed as a new rule of law.

The ordinance can still be vetoed at the executive level, though that could still be overturned by a committee vote. Schedule for the meeting and possible deliberation is set on Feb. 16.