So what makes PokemonGo such a humongous hit? What is the thing that binds the users to this game so much? The answer is simple; PokemonGo is an unblemished mixture of Gaming, Augmented Reality and Nostalgia. Along with this, it has immaculate GPS integration which enables the user to actually go to the places in order to find the Pokemons, as the Pokemon masters quote ”Gotta Catch’em All”. With additional releases being planned in different countries, this is just a beginning.
Ironically, the sensational PokemonGo concept as a game was first introduced as an April fool’s day joke. In its published mock pitch, Google challenged recruits to track down the Pokémon’s using GPS and capture them with their camera.
In terms of revolutionizing gaming experience and setting trends for the future, PokemonGo has truly harnessed the potential of mobilizing the gaming. Until now, the basic concept of mobile gaming was to be enjoyed anywhere and ease out ourselves from the daily routines. PokemonGo has bought a whole new paradigm shift to this concept with its unique thought and gaming experience. Along with this, it has also made a brilliant reform in advertising focusing on the niche.
PokemonGo has encouraged and succeeded players to travel different destination which was previously unknown to them. PokemonGo delivers a gaming experience that can be elevated on mobile. Because of this, it has attracted both conventional and non conventional game players.
With big games co-ordinated for PC or Xbox or Play Station, Mobile gaming had its limited share of Triple A games (i.e. angry birds, candy crush and Clash of clans). But with PokémonGo, who has initiated Goal oriented game play by giving them rewards for No. of steps walked and each Pokémon catch. It has robust progression systems, special incentives for finding out new areas and also draping a whole the whole Pokémon franchise. With inputs and learnings from Nintendo’s previous game Ingress, PokemonGo can also be called as “Modern Warfare to Ingress.”
Elevating Augmented Reality
Let us first brief about augmented reality. It is the technology that permits the display of digital content within the real world. Moreover, with its increased usage, AR technology is predicted to become a solid pillar of the growing Wearable technology and mobile gaming industry.
In PokemonGo, the Pokémon characters are not computerized or 3D. These digital characters are integrated into the real world and your smartphone camera shows them live. Whether you are moving on the streets or at your office, with PokemonGo you can experience a whole new scenario of gaming which was scarcely provided by VR (Virtual Gaming). As AR being the buzzword for industrial companies and marketing teams for years, PokemonGo has provided a complete insight as to how AR technology can be used in these fields other than gaming. Moreover, by using augmented reality, PokemonGo’s approach is purely related in the manner its user approaches it, whereas in VR, there are pre-defined modes of input and one-to-one motion controls.
Related to augmented reality, PokemonGo has been a frictionless case and a major breakthrough that is needed to bridge the gap of usage from the developers to the masses. In General, it has created an aura of the opportunities and new possibilities augmented reality can have on other sections other than the gaming industry.
Cashing on Nostalgia:
The millennials who dreamt of catching a Pokémon in real during their pre adulthood and childhood are the major fuel and force behind the humongous success of the gaming app. Stats show that, about 90% of the people who have downloaded the app are from the age group of 18-34. It gives them a chance to live their childhood once again, as last time they embarked a quest for these fictional characters was back in 1996 (Nintendo’s Game Boy).
PokemonGo has given millennials a technological way to revisit their childhood much like the way social media does with photos and videos. Nostalgia not only makes people feel connected, it also compiles them to connect with each other. PokemonGo has given its users a whole new platform of socialize and even meet new people as this game forces people to go out. Playing this game on the outdoors makes you feel like a kid again and therefore channelizes your energy outflow brilliantly.
It has helped in reducing loneliness and has made exploring new place a rage and made people feel connected and loved.
Conclusion:
PokemonGo has become a milestone in mobile gaming world. Other than giving the millennials a taste of their past, it has also made AR (Augmented Reality) a mainstream technology that can be used in fields like real estate, automobile designing, marketing, etc. The technology has also bought calmness and connectivity among people, thus spreading happiness in a unique yet amazing manner.