The mobile game Pokémon GO is one of the big winners of the gaming summer 2018. Revenues have skyrocketed, and the search interest has also significantly increased. What is the reason for this?
The Poké Renaissance: Since June 2018, the game Pokémon GO has been experiencing a renaissance. It was a huge hit in the summer of 2016 and never really died down, but this summer Pokémon GO has seen an unprecedented surge.
2.5 million dollars daily since June 2018
In June, the turning point came: As reported by Sensor Tower, players have been spending an average of 2.5 million US dollars every day since June 19. This is 39% more than in the two months before.
We can also see this increase from June clearly in the search interest on Google 2018 in Germany:
There was already a first upswing in April. However, Pokémon GO really picked up momentum with the patch in mid-June. The peak of search interest for Pokémon GO in Germany was reached in July.
Even throughout August, interest remained high during the heatwave.
Trainers are forming groups: The Facebook group by Mein-MMO reflects this surge in Pokémon GO. From May onwards, the group’s member count significantly increased.
Apparently, interest in Pokémon GO and exchanging with others increased among trainers starting in June.
Raid spike in 2017 was short-lived for Pokémon GO
Interestingly: There was already a similar surge in popularity in the summer of 2017. This came with the new raid system. This new feature temporarily caused a significant upswing in the summer.
However, this enthusiasm quickly faded at that time. In 2018, the increase seems to be more sustainable.
How did Pokémon GO achieve this renaissance?
More social features: Observers attribute the upswing in 2018 primarily to two new game systems in Pokémon GO:
- the friends system
- and the trading system
Through these two social functions, Pokémon GO may have gained increased engagement. Playing in groups with friends increases the motivation to continue. Players compete with each other and communicate.
An important event was also the activation of lucky Pokémon. Trainers can now receive lucky Pokémon through the new trading system. These monsters require less stardust for power-ups – hence they are cheaper to evolve into stronger attackers. Thus, Niantic made the trading function in Pokémon GO more popular.
Niantic relies on social interaction for the upswing
2018 looks promising: The question arises whether the hype around Pokémon GO will last until autumn this time. As temperatures fall, interest in Pokémon GO has also declined in previous years. Naturally, as the game drives trainers outside.
With the mysterious “ultra bonus” and the upcoming generation 4 the next weeks could be promising for Pokémon GO.
Additionally, Niantic itself knows what is behind the new success of their game. Therefore, they want to expand and refine the “social aspects” of Pokémon Go. PvP is expected to come to the game still in 2018:
