Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality (AR) game on mobile (Android, iOS) platforms developed by Niantic alongside The Pokémon Company. The game is part of the larger Pokémon franchise and uses GPS to find, capture and battle virtual Pokémon. The use of augmented reality in the game makes it appear as if the virtual monsters are appearing in the users’ real-world setting. The game follows a freemium business model, meaning it is free to play but supports in-app purchases that grant players access to additional in-game items. The game was originally released on July 6, 2016, with 150 Pokémon included for players to interact with but has now grown to include about 500 Pokémon as of 2020.[CITATION]

Pokémon Go had a turbulent release. Both critics and consumers were very impressed by the innovative game-play and hooked by the nostalgia, however, both parties also had many complaints regarding the technical problems of the app which caused it to lose a lot of the steam it had built up prior to its release. Nevertheless, Pokémon Go is still credited with popularizing AR technology and location-based games. The game is also praised for promoting physical activity, and helping local businesses grow. Simultaneously, the game received a lot of bad press due to the multiple accidents, incidents, and public safety issues it allegedly enabled with its inherent game mechanics[CITATION]. Since the game’s release, multiple governments have expressed concerns about security, leading to it being regulated in those countries. As of 2019, the game has had over one billion downloads with 147 million active users and has grossed $3 billion in revenue.[CITATION]