All the sessions from Transform 2021 are available on-demand now. Watch now.
Niantic revealed today that Pokémon Go has had a 35 percent increase in active users since May. The mobile game added new social features, friend links and gifting, that have given players more ways to connect to each other, and they have responded by jumping onboard.
Pokémon Go became a sensation when it launched in 2016, drawing millions of players (and even getting mainstream news headlines) with its real-world augmented reality gameplay. Things cooled down a bit, but player numbers were at their highest this summer since that initial boon.
Since the launch of the new social features, 113 million players have made friend connections and have sent a total of 2.2 billion in-game gifts.
Niantic also held Pokémon Go festivals in Dortmund, Germany, Chicago, Illinois, and Yokosuka, Japan over the summer. These attracted a total of 400,000 players.
Webinar
Three top investment pros open up about what it takes to get your video game funded.
Niantic is also working on a new mobile game that uses the Harry Potter license. The developer is also rebooting it original AR game this year, Ingress, as Ingress Prime. Niantic said that it will use the improvements in AR technology it is creating for Ingress Prime in Pokémon Go.
GamesBeat
GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it. How will you do that? Membership includes access to:- Newsletters, such as DeanBeat
- The wonderful, educational, and fun speakers at our events
- Networking opportunities
- Special members-only interviews, chats, and "open office" events with GamesBeat staff
- Chatting with community members, GamesBeat staff, and other guests in our Discord
- And maybe even a fun prize or two
- Introductions to like-minded parties
