Since 2016, millions of players have been logging intoPokemon GOto catch them all. This AR game became an instant sensation when it launched and is still one of the largest mobile games around. Since release, it has grown even bigger, and Niantic has applied the formula to any franchise that it can get the rights to. It seems like there is no slowing downPokemon GOand Niantic, but everything must end eventually.
WhilePokemon GOmay beone of the biggest mobile gamesright now, players will eventually move onto something else. That day will not come anytime soon since the game still rakes in millions every month, but it will have to happen sometime. No game can last forever, and even the popularity of thePokemonfranchise has its limits. With Niantic’s recent struggles, the idea thatPokemon GOcan end one day seems a lot more believable.
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The Pokemon GO Fun May End One Day
Pokemon GOhas been a massive sensation since it first hit mobile devices back in 2016. This simple AR game has finally given fans the means toactually become a Pokemon trainerand catch them all. They can wander the real world and interact with their favorite franchise through a whole new method, and it has only grown since launch. Players can catch Pokemon, battle others, conquer gyms, and do everything that they have wanted to do since the earliest days of the franchise.
Pokemon GOseems like everything that fans have wanted, and that has helped it amass a massive player base over the years. It is consistently one of the top-grossing mobile games, has amassed millions of monthly active users, and has earned over $6 billion since release. Each update helps bolster the game, andthe COVID-19 pandemic helped it become even more popular. There seems to be no stopping this great game, but like all online games, it will have to end eventually.
WhilePokemon GOwill not be ending anytime soon, players will eventually stop spending money. Nintendo has shown that it is willing to pull the plug on its mobile games, and it is allegedly focusing less on the market altogether.Pokemon GOis one of its few remaining titles, and the company will not have a problem shutting it down once player spending slows and the player count dwindles.Pokemon GO’s revenue has already droppedto its lowest point in five years, which could be a sign of things to come.
Niantic has also made somecontroversial changes toPokemon GOthat have annoyed many players. It has increased prices on various microtransactions, including remote passes, and has made adjustments to features like Remote Raids. This has convinced some players to uninstall the game and may be the reason for the lower revenue. While it is unclear how much these changes affected the game, it is clear that some players are no longer interested in the AR experience.
Niantic also seems to be in a bit of a tough spot right now, as it recently laid off 25% of its workforce. It was forced to shut down its Los Angeles studio, has failed to get more AR games off the ground, and was recently hit witha lawsuit from a former Niantic employee.Pokemon GOhas been a massive success for the studio, but other games likeHarry Potter: Wizards Unitefailed to make an impact. The studio is planning to focus more onPokemon GO, but players will have to see if that actually pays off.
It is too early to sayPokemon GOis a dying game, but recent developments have put the game’s longevity in doubt. There is still so much content for players to look forward to throughout the year, and Niantic seems committed to making this game the best experience it can be. There is clearly a some life left in it, but it will be interesting to see how much farther the studio can takePokemon GO.
Pokemon GOis available now on Android and iOS.
