September2016
News Pokémon GO "Pretty Likely" To Come To Android Wear As Well As Apple Watch, Says Niantic CEO
"We’ll look into supporting those, too"
Apple made quite a splash the other week when it revealed that its Apple Watch wearable will be getting a special version of Pokémon GO. Many assumed that this new app would be exclusive to Apple devices, but that doesn't seem to be the case. John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, has revealed in an interview with...
News Pokémon GO Has Lost 79 Percent of its Paying Population
Still remains most profitable mobile game
It's been a few months since Pokémon GO made its official debut, and although there's some pretty cool new features being added, it was inevitable that the app would struggle to maintain its initial level of success and popularity. After breaking several records for sales and downloads at launch, Pokémon...
Random Walking 10km With Pikachu As Your Buddy Creates A Stronger Bond In Pokémon GO
Just like Ash!
Pokémon GO's latest update introduces the Buddy system, which has to rank as one of the most significant changes since the title launched a few months ago. Using this system, you can assign a 'mon as your buddy and they will walk alongside you, earning candies as they go. This new mechanic also introduces a cool Easter Egg which...
News Pokémon GO Sets Another Record as it Reaches $500 Million in Customer Spend
Yep, it's super effective
Earlier this week it was announced that Pokémon GO had passed 500 million downloads. According to App Annie, that's also a significant number in terms of revenue from customers, with the analytics company declaring that GO is the fastest mobile game to make $500 million worldwide in customer spend. You don't need to be a...
News Pokémon GO Plus Launches On September 16th
Delayed device finally hitting retail
Nintendo has confirmed that the delayed Pokémon GO Plus will be arriving in stores on September 16th. The device - which connects to your phone via a low-energy Bluetooth link and allows you to plunder Pokéstops and catch monsters in Pokémon GO without having to pull your handset out of your pocket - was...
Sure, we'll ask about Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, too
As another indication - not that it was needed - that the Nintendo name still has broad appeal and brand power, Apple gave up an early chunk of its 'Special Event' to introduce Shigeru Miyamoto and Bill Trinen - they unveiled Super Mario Run. A left-to-right runner in which you tap to make the...
News Pokémon GO Confirmed for Apple Watch
Due out this year, primarily focused on fitness
With Pokémon GO Plus add-on expected soon and the app still performing well, Niantic CEO John Hanke appeared at the Apple Conference today to unveil a version of the game for Apple Watch. This version is an accompaniment rather than being an iteration of the full game, with its focus very much on...
News Niantic Already Working On New Apps As Pokémon GO Passes The $440 Million Mark
"We have some projects that are in the early stages now"
Niantic has gone from being a near-unknown to one of the most famous developers on the planet thanks to the astonishing success of Pokémon GO, the monster-catching smartphone app which the company developed in conjunction with The Pokémon Company. Niantic's previous release, Ingress, laid...
News Pokémon GO's Success Has Convinced Sony To Perform About-Face On Mobile Gaming
"Pokémon GO is a real game-changer"
Sony boss Kaz Hirai has revealed that the incredible success of Pokémon GO has encouraged the company to reassess its stance in the smartphone gaming arena. Sony's ambitious PlayStation Mobile platform was put out to pasture last year after failing to find lasting success, but Hirai has told
Random Car Insurance Firm Pokes Fun At Those Who Pokémon GO Behind The Wheel
"Don't catch and drive"
You should never play Pokémon GO when you're behind the wheel of a car - that much is obvious. Just like sending a text or taking a phone call, it's a distraction which dramatically increases the chances of you getting into an accident. Niantic has even gone as far as to include a warning message in the game which pops up...
News Buddy Pokémon Confirmed by Niantic for Pokémon GO
You've got a friend in Meowth
Earlier this week data miners sifted through the latest Pokémon GO update and discovered code for Buddy Pokémon. That leak was clearly spotted by Niantic, as it's now confirmed that the feature is on the way; it's "just around the corner", so could arrive any time soon. The details are as expected, ultimately -...
Rumour Buddy Pokémon Could Be on the Way to Pokémon GO
Have a companion for your travels
Pokémon Yellow Version did something a bit different when it came out by allowing players to have their Pikachu out of its Pokéball, faithfully following the player around the overworld if it was in their party. The feature then disappeared and didn't come back until Pokémon Heartgold and Soulsilver, where it was...
August2016
News Niantic Is Lifting Some Pokémon GO Account Bans
"Our main priority is to provide a fair, fun, and legitimate experience"
In the past few weeks we've seen Pokémon GO developer Niantic drop the ban hammer on some accounts due to the use of tools which make it easier to locate monsters and gain an advantage over rival players. Some of these bans are the result of players using seemingly innocent...
Random Disgruntled Young Pokémon GO Fan Makes Satirical Game About Playing in the Suburbs
"I've managed to teach myself Javascript just to make a statement"
Pokémon GO has, in most ways, been a terrific success for Niantic and The Pokémon Company. Yet despite its record breaking success it's also earned its share of critics, with some of the most dedicated players and franchise fans among those disgruntled at various aspects of the...
News Recent Data Highlights Gradual Decline in Pokémon GO Users and Engagement
It's still doing rather well, though
Pokémon GO had a staggering launch, even when its roll-out was rather slow and steady. It set new records in revenues and was even threatening the likes of Google Maps in terms of daily users, a rather extraordinary state of affairs. Those levels were never going to last, naturally, and though gradual updates...
Weirdness Pokémon GO Triggers Massive Trainer Stampedes In Taiwan
Lots of people, all trying to be the very best
While the latest data suggests that Pokémon GO has peaked in terms of popularity, it's still one of the most-played games on the planet right now - as these chaotic scenes from Taiwan attest. Various sightings in the country have triggered massive stampedes as people rush to catch rare monsters. On...
News Niantic Pushes Out a New Pokémon GO Update
Pokémon Appraisal is the big new feature
A while back, Niantic promised Pokémon GO players that trading would be the next big feature they'd be working on implementing. While this still has yet to materialise, Niantic has just pushed out a new update with a feature that seems to be a pretty sizable addition to ease the process of raising Pokémon...
News Pokémon GO Player Aims For Million XP In 24 Hours, Unwittingly Triggers Anti-Cheat Mechanism
"Games are meant to be played, and in my opinion played well"
The topic of cheating in Pokémon GO has been a hot one over the past week or so as Niantic attempts to deal with the hordes of players who are seeking a means of getting an unfair advantage in the game, but it would seem that the automatic measures put in place by the developer can be a...
News Pokémon GO Player Apparently Gets Belgium's Biggest Mobile Network Banned
UPDATE: Ban now lifted, Proximus confirms "security" issue was to blame
Update: It would seem that the ban has been lifted this morning, with Proximus confirming that a security issue was indeed to blame. Original story: Niantic has been stepping up its game when it comes to banning people in Pokémon GO. It would seem there are quite a few ways...
News Italian Bishop Likens Pokémon GO To Nazism, Claims It Turns Players Into "Walking Dead"
App has "alienated thousands and thousands of young people"
Pokémon GO may have captured the hearts and minds of millions of players all over the globe, but like so many elements of popular culture - and the Pokémon craze in general, it should be remembered - it hasn't made fans of everyone. Agence France-Presse reports that Antonio Stagliano,
News Niantic Is Dropping The Ban Hammer On Pokémon GO Players Who "Cheat"
"Your account has been terminated"
Like any game that becomes stupidly popular, Pokémon GO has seen its fair share of "cheaters" - people who use shady measures to get an unfair advantage over others. In Pokémon GO's case, this includes faking your location to rake in items and capture Pokémon, using third-party trackers to pinpoint certain...
News Pokémon GO Has Set Five Guinness World Records
And likely many more to come
Though it's popularity has declined to more normal levels now, Pokémon GO's worldwide success is undisputed. The game made a big splash when it debuted this summer, breaking records seemingly left and right, and now Guinness World Records has finally acknowledged some of these records, cementing the game's status as an...
News Work For Volkswagen? Better Delete Pokémon GO From Your Phone
The only bug you're going to catch is the Beetle
Yesterday we reported on the news that people working inside The Pentagon have been instructed not to play Pokémon GO due to security concerns, and today we've got another sad tale - German automobile maker Volkswagen has told 70,000 of its staff that they have to delete the game from their phones...
News Pokémon GO Predicted To Make More Than One Billion Dollars Worldwide In 2016
Could exceed global box-office for 2016’s highest-grossing film
While there are a great many people out there hoping that the Pokémon GO bubble is about to burst, the figures indicate that is unlikely to happen any time soon.
News Satoru Iwata Offered Pokémon GO Feedback From His Hospital Bed
Former Nintendo president worked closely on the game
It's been more than a year since Satoru Iwata sadly passed away, leaving behind an enviable legacy in the video game arena. However, his influence is still being felt in one of Nintendo's more recent successes, Pokémon GO. Iwata was the in charge when the bold choice was made to expand...
