In many parts of the world, there are restrictions due to the novel coronavirus. One would think that Pokémon GO would suffer, as players can no longer hunt together in groups. However, the opposite is true: The game has its best week of 2020 in terms of revenue.
Here are the numbers: As reported by Sensor Tower, revenues from Pokémon GO significantly increased in the week of March 16. Pokémon GO generated 66.7% more revenue than the week before.
Revenue rose globally from 13.8 million US dollars to 23 million $, which corresponds to revenue of 20.6 million €.
This is the strongest week in terms of revenue in Pokémon GO 2020 so far. The largest share of the 23 million $ comes from the USA. There, players spent 7.8 million $ in the week.
Niantic responds to Corona with bonuses and events
This is remarkable: These record revenues come at a time when many trainers are not allowed to leave their homes easily, as parts of the world are under a “lockdown” due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In Italy, a man was stopped by the police and reported for playing Pokémon GO on the street and could not provide a reason for being outdoors, other than: “I have to catch the Pokémon.”
One might assume that Pokémon GO is particularly affected by the restrictions and that trainers play it less: The idea of Pokémon GO is precisely to send players outside into the real world.
However, Niantic reacted early to the Corona crisis and adapted Pokémon GO with many bonuses and made playing from home more attractive: Since March 4, it has been easier for trainers to catch Pokémon from home.
In the time that followed, Niantic responded with further events to the Corona situation. The CEO of Niantic, John Hanke, has also announced that even more changes for Pokémon GO are on the way.
Furthermore, in many countries it is still allowed to leave the house for walks, as long as one does it alone. Apparently, Pokémon continues to be caught on these walks.
Important for the revenue increase was also an event that started on March 20 in Pokémon GO. Here, players were to pay €8.99 for the special research adventure “Modular Investigations”.
In China, the Corona quarantine already led to a significant increase in player numbers at the beginning of the year. Players seem to be seeking diversion and distraction during the pandemic. Many also seem to spend more money in the games, as now in Pokémon GO.
However, for every trainer it should be the most important thing to protect their own health and that of their fellow human beings, and to be particularly cautious during these times when pursuing “I want to be the very best, like no one ever was” and “Gotta catch ’em all.”
