Summary
Pokemon GOis still going strong nearly eight years after its release back in July 2016, with new content continuing to be added during that time. Despite already existing for so long with the popularity it’s had, Niantic recently teased their plans for the next 10 years ofPokemon GO, suggesting the game will not be slowing down anytime soon. While it might seem a bit ambitious to believe a mobile title likePokemon GOcan maintain its momentum for another decade, it’s not as unlikely as one might think, especially given the legacy ofPokemon GO.
Longtime players might remember the massive hype surroundingPokemon GOduring its initial launch week back in 2016. While the game’s player count has significantly declined in the years since its launch, it’s far from a dead game with a healthy number of players still participating in events likePokemon GO Festaround the world. However, keeping players active in-game for another 10 years is a big ask, even for a game as big asPokemon GO, but Niantic has all the tools necessary to make this vision a reality if they handle future content right.
Pokemon GO Still Has a Lot of Gas Left in the Tank
Although it seems likePokemon GOwould have run out of steam nearly eight years after its release, Niantic has kept players coming back to explore the real world while capturing these critters by constantly introducing new events, mechanics, and mons for players to experience. Since its launch,Pokemon GOhas added new features like PvP battles, PvE battles againstTeam GO Rocket, new Raid types, and more, alongside a consistent stream of critters from across the franchise.Pokemon GOhas kept events coming in 2024 as well, like the Sinnoh Tour and World of Wonder, enticing players to keep checking out the game throughout the year.
Thefuture ofPokemon GOreally comes down to how well Niantic can continue to produce engaging content for players to experience over the next decade. Given the popularity of thePokemonfranchise as a whole, it’s unlikely that Niantic will ever be short on potential content to add, but finding new ways to innovate how players interact with the game could be tricky. As such, the developer will have to build upon the solid foundation already built forPokemon GOand can’t just rely on autopilot to coast to success in the coming years.
How Pokemon GO Can Maintain a Player Base Over the Next Decade
The best way Niantic can keep players coming back toPokemon GOin the coming years is by continuing to add new critters for them to catch. While the initial rollout of new generations to the game felt somewhat slow, these staggered releases helped keep the game active over the past several years. There are still manyGen 8 and Gen 9 mons missing fromPokemon GO, and by the time they are all added, Gen 10 will likely be close to release, meaning there could seemingly be an endless crop of new creatures to add toPokemon GOas more mainline games are released.
Another wayPokemon GOcould retain its player base is by leaning into some of its most popular gameplay mechanics by expanding them to add depth and engagement. Shiny hunting is a popular pastime inPokemon GO, to the point where increased shiny odds are a highlight of events likePokemon GOCommunity Daysand in-game festivals. Niantic could build on the popularity of shiny hunting by not only continuing to offer these events with increased shiny odds but also expanding what players can do with shiny Pokemon, such as implementing a shiny-only PvP league or creating special showcase events for players to show off their shiny collections.
