Three years ago today, Niantic and The Pokémon Company changed the world of mobile gaming by introducing the augmented reality-focused Pokémon GO.
On 6th July 2016, the app released in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Technical difficulties which came as a result of higher-than-expected early demand resulted in a delay for other regions; it started to launch across Europe the following week, with Japan coming just after that on the 22nd.
You didn't need to understand the world of Pokémon, video games, or even smartphones back then to know that this new, real-life monster-catching app thingy was taking over the world. We're not exaggerating, either; the early madness saw various countries regulate how it was to be used and even local businesses got in on the action by putting up signs and posters which targetted players who were walking by their stores.
Since its initial release, the app has seen plenty of changes and additions which have helped it to grow and remain relevant among its player base. Much requested features like player trading and battles have crept in, as well as daily challenges which drive players to log in regularly. At first, only Pokémon from the series' first generation were available to capture, but the total number of Pokémon now available is nearing 500.
We can't quite believe that three years have already passed since it first found its way to our phones, but here we are lots of calories burnt, lots of digital monsters caught, and a full, main series Switch game inspired by the phenomenon later.
Have you played the game regularly over the last three years? Feel free to share your experiences and feelings towards it in the comments below.
Comments 9
Used to be i have ever played Pokemon Go for a while but not anymore.
Pokemon on handhelds / consoles are my choices now.
Pokemon Go has improved greatly over the time its been out. While I rarely go out of my way to play it, I play almost every day when I walk to and from work, or to the train station. While it doesn't come close to real video games on a proper dedicated gaming device, it's a satisfying time waster for commuting or just something to do when out walking around.
Wife and I still play actively.
I still use to and from work
I got to level 36, then a few weeks ago decided I just wasn't having fun with it.
It was great while it lasted though. I live in a smallish town (pop. around 22,000) and there are gyms and stops everywhere, I used to enjoy my little walk everyday to collect gifts etc.
Slowly got to know the local PoGo Facebook group too (not that I'm on FB) - I'd see the same faces... well, tops of heads looking at their phones - walking around town, got chatting and eventually we'd meet up for raids and ex-raids, messages would go out asking if anyone was doing xxxx raid at xxxx.
Cool too, having a record of places you've visited in the country, the gyms and stops spun. The local group used to have a 'don't knock people out a gym unless they've been in for eight hours' rule but human nature being what it is, that descended into conflict. Another reason to quit.
And... it became the same old same old. Nothing new in the raids, same old 'mon for the weekly bonus - it became a bore and a chore rather than a pleasure.
I confess though, I've started playing Wizards Unite instead...
I personally feel like this game has overstayed its welcome, but I know lots of people still enjoy it. Just wish the game wouldn't bleed into the main games, understandable as it may be.
Ah well. I wonder how long Pokémon Go will actually be around for in the end...
I played for about a week in 2016 and found it dumb. Then someone showed me what’s changed in Feb 2018, now I’m Level 40 with 3 accounts. I work nights and it’s hard to find people to raid with at 7 am. It’s an unless quest to find the perfect or shiny ‘mon. Even more if you get the perfect shiny. Getting regionals are also fun. Was in Israel for 2 weeks and I’ve brought back Tropius to trade people with.
In a few weeks, I’ll be in Asia. Allotted 4 days of vacation to attend Go Fest in Yokohama Japan!!! The best thing about this game is the social part of it. I’ve met great people and it brings you out to do things outside.
I'm a fairly recent adopter as I didn't have a phone that supported the game when it first came out. I play almost daily, but for how long really depends. I swear some in the local Facebook group I'm in play it in most of their free time. XD
I primarily got it to give myself something to do when I'm out and about. There are aspects of it that I like, but also aspects of it that I dislike. I find that the combat is almost TOO simple when compared with the main series, plus gym turnover is almost laughably easy to pull off in many cases.
It's been three years since the red, blue, and yellow gang wars began. My diabetic cat enlisted on team yellow while I was team blue, so dinners with him were INTENSE.
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