Pokemon Go still going strong despite drop in player base

New Pokémon and features have helped keep Pokémon Go profitable long after the AR game app’s launch hype. Image: INQUIRER.net stock photo

Pokemon Go embodied the word “hype” when it was released last year on Android and iOS. Yet despite the lack of roving crowds hunting for virtual creatures, the AR game app is still bringing in a pretty penny for its makers.

Though past its heyday, Pokémon Go has seen some renewed interest with the recent addition of 80 Pokémon and holiday-specific in-game events, reports The Japan Times.

The lack of updates contributed to the drop in active users based on data gathered by app market analyst Apptopia.

“Over time, the enthusiasm has waned, but there’s still quite a bit of people playing it,” said Joost van Dreunen, the CEO and founder of SuperData Research in New York.

As of January, Pokémon Go has generated $1 billion in revenue. John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, insists that Pokemon Go is not just a passing fad.

Last summer, Pokémon Go’s servers noticeably had trouble coping with the app’s astronomical success. But with user base now down to “a more normal level,” Niantic is looking to make good on their promises of adding “legendary” Pokémon as well as the player battle and trade system.

Dreunen states that Pokémon Go still has a staunch following in Japan, China, Korea and North America.

Pokémon Go may no longer experience the same fanatical fame it had at its launch, but it has retained a loyal fanbase and it appears that updates will be able to lure back some old players. Alfred Bayle/JB