Pokémon Go forcing real world traffic

2016 marked the 20^th anniversary for the late 90’s hit, Pokémon. The Japanese company consists of three partners that include, Game Freak, Creatures and its majority owner, Nintendo. Pokémon has received global popularity for the past 20 years as it spread its brand into a number of different areas. The brand originally began as a video game for the early gaming system Game Boy and has continued to expand its organization. The organization now spans into video games, trading card games, animated television shows and movies, comic books, and toys.

In July of 2016 the company Niantic released the new Android and Apple compatible app Pokémon go, and soon after that it was a global phenomenon. Niantic had realized the demand for apps was outweighing the demand for consoles which is why they changed their marketing strategy and aimed towards the mobile platform. The app allows users to create their own personal avatar and enter the world of Pokémon. The user has the ability to catch random Pokémon that spawn at different times and locations throughout the area. There are also Poké stops which are located all over the place that give players the chance to refill on useful items.

Within days of launch the Nintendo share price went through the roof which resulted in the stock jumping 25% or 7.5 billion dollars. However, Nintendo was not the only one who was making profits off of this innovative game, many businesses all over the world were cashing in through in game features. The app has lure stops where an individual can attract Pokémon for 30 minutes and others around will also spot them. The businesses were setting up these lure spots and attracting customers to their businesses which were causing customers to come to these venues more often. Also, many businesses were giving out incentives for customers to use their lures at their locations and in return would receive some sort of discount because it increased the traffic at their location. The app has shown to have the ability to push real world foot traffic and give extra business to these business owners. This revolutionary game has changed the way the mobile gaming industry is viewed and also changed the future of mobile gaming. Many future games are already in the works of creating their platform in the direction of Pokémon go’s and this seems that it is going to be a continuous trend.