15 million downloads

Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm this summer, within a week of its release in the US, this augmented reality game topped 15 million downloads on Apple's App Store and Google Play, according to estimates from research firm SensorTower. The numbers are backing the idea that Pokémon Go is changing and shaping the world of new media technologies as we know it, but I can’t help to raise this question: Is it just a fad? The game itself brings back the nostalgia of playing the original Pokémon games Red and Blue on the Gameboy with the 8bit graphics. Playing in the dark using a torch to shine on the screen of the Gameboy to battle the ‘Elite Four’ but today it’s so much more; the integrated AR element in Pokémon Go will strive companies to push for their own AR/VR strategies.

Current statistics show that on average an iOS user spends more than 33 minutes of their daily life catching Pokémon, rather than engaging with the leading apps like Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter, etc. These leading apps appear to have lost significant ground to Pokémon Go. Is this a business opportunity too good to miss out?

Advertising opportunities

With Nintendo’s share price skyrocketing 70% in the first week since it’s release in the US, Australia and New Zealand, it’s no wonder that advertising opportunities will be offered within the game, and this will play a key factor for Nintendo and it’s growth with Pokémon Go. Leading brands and retailers will be able to sponsor locations within the virtual maps to gain foot traffic to their businesses. In Japan, the likes of McDonald's are already in talks to sponsor Pokéstops in all 3000+ of their restaurants on its release later this month. To stay ahead of its competitors, Nintendo will need to keep true to player experience while making the game enjoyable and cutting-edge.

Now, I know that some may think that when the dust settles and all the Pokémon are caught,  everyone will go back to the norm. Set aside the updates and expansions that we are yet to see, of trainers battling each other outside of a gym, special events to catch legendary Pokémon, trading Pokémon. Plus the other generations of Pokémon, which is around 700+, it opens up a new way of socialising. Pokémon Go brings all age groups together running around searching historical landmarks to catch that ‘rare’ Pokémon, exploring new locations around their cities walking 10KM just to hatch that mysterious egg. But what next? Will we see the likes of virtual reality incorporated into this already immersive conquest or something more? I like to think yes. VR can only enhance the gaming experience, allowing you to lose yourself in this haunting world.

Force of AR/VR on a much larger scale

Pokémon Go has hit on a global scale and is now widely considered the gateway to the non-niche market to explore all aspects of AR/VR in their relevant fields of industry. It’s only a matter of time before we start seeing the full force of AR/VR on a much larger, usable and affordable scale. Sony Playstation is set to launch their VR games with their own VR headset this Autumn, which will bring the console gaming aspect into the VR realm, with pre-orders now sold out on Amazon. Another console gaming titan, Microsoft, is also releasing Hololens, which brings the real world, AR, and VR together to create Holograms. This device will allow you to play a game or other Hologram creations on any surface such as a wall or even a desk without the use of a TV! This could be the organic evolution of Pokémon Go, eliminating the need for a smartphone to use the app.

Only time will tell but whatever the direction Pokémon Go takes, I will be on the front lines ‘catching them all’, I for one am excited to be a part of these ever growing and changing technological advancements! We’re scratching the surface with the content that we can produce.

If you are looking to build your AR/VR strategy, please get in contact with Happy Finish, leading experts in this field.