A 24 year old man in New Zealand has quit his job to become a full-time Pokemon trainer.
Tom Currie left his barista job near Auckland, New Zealand last week to allow him to devote his time to travelling and playing Pokemon Go.
"When I resigned, I didn't tell my manager I was going out into the world to hunt Pokemon," Currie told the BBC.
"But after my story got picked up I gave him a courtesy call to update him just in case the media contacted him."
Currie added that his boss supported his decision, "I got an absolutely lovely response, 'Good on you Tom. It is really funny. I hope everything is ok. Have fun on your Pokemon trip'."
So far, Currie has caught over 90 Pokemons out of the 151 available, and he says the experience has allowed him to "walk around and explore towns I've never been to" in the hopes of catching 'em all.
"I have been meeting heaps of people, tourists travelling the country and other Pokemon trainers at the small public gatherings. When you and your friends have to physically go for a walk or run to catch a rare Pokemon in the area and you all catch it, that is definitely a highlight," he said.
Currie plans to go back to work when he completes his mission of collecting all 151 Pokemons.
"When I finish the trip and get back to Auckland, I will be looking for work and working on my new business," he added.
He's already received messages of support from around the world including Ireland and has now set up a dedicated Facebook page so his followers can track his progress.
His Mum, Tania Dobbs, told the Guardian that although she's bemused at his new life she's happy that he's having fun.
“His nana and I don’t understand the game but I remember him loving it in his childhood. I am just glad he is out enjoying his life...", she said.
Pokémon GO officially launched in Ireland on Android and iOS at the weekend, though many had already used a variety of workarounds and hacks to download the game before then.
The app launched in twenty six other countries on the same day and its popularity has caused the server to crash. So - unlike this guy - don't give up the day job just yet.
