Pokemon Go has surpassed Twitter in terms of daily users.
Just let that sink in. Whether you’re a PokeMaster or roll your eyes whenever you see someone playing, it’s time we all respect the significance of this game’s launch and popularity.
Look past Pokemon and think big
First, the fact that the game uses augmented reality is really, really cool. Quick refresher: augmented reality (AR) is tech that puts designed elements (like Pokemon) into your real-life surroundings. Virtual reality (VR) is a total and complete world-shift (think VR headsets covering your eyes).
Virtual and augmented reality have been concepts in the works for years, but this game is the first example of this tech successfully penetrating the market and exciting the general public. Sure, Samsung has those cardboard VR sets, and we know that Magic Leap (invested in by Google) is clearly inventing something that will change the space-time continuum. Just take a look at their website.
The problem is that so far this tech has been either limited (in the case of Samsung’s virtual reality) or not available for you or I to play with (like Magic Leap). And no, Pokemon Go is not the most sophisticated game or display of AR (yes, the servers keep going down).
Via Giphy
But what this game represents is the beginning of a new virtual and augmented reality renaissance. Pokemon Go will be just the first of many games, programs, educational tools, artistic platforms, etc. using VR and AR that will be accessible to regular people. And that’s amazing.
Imagine classrooms with augmented solar systems as big as the room itself. Think of surgeons using up-close-and-personal views of injuries and masses that can help them when cutting into an actual patient.
This game is a test, a launchpad, and truly exciting for anyone who understands what advances are still to come in this field. And it’s also just fun to play!
What’s wrong with using tech for fun?
The gaming industry was worth $23.5 billion in 2015. Clearly, the business of fun is a profitable one. If you’ve ever played an arcade, SEGA, Xbox, PlayStation, or mobile phone game in your life – think about how that experience would be with either VR or AR.
This industry has a history of being on the cutting edge of the latest technology, as we’ve seen through more realistic animation, real-time action recognition (like Wii), and more. And, sure enough, PlayStation already has an expensive VR headset for sale.
We’re all acting as early adopters of game tech that will only get better and more affordable with time. I, for one, am hoping for a game that simulates a high-speed escape from a T-Rex, Jurassic Park style.
Business applications
Don’t forget about the brands! Pokemon Go is just beginning to realize its own money-making potential, and businesses are clamoring to get on board. The presence of a rare Pokemon (or even a boring one, to be honest) has the potential to drive major foot traffic to brick-and-mortar locations. And it is.
As we’ve seen with all of the major social networks, partnerships with businesses are a very successful way to make sure your platform stays profitable. As long as organizations are buying in and see AR and VR as ways to make some real money, they’re probably not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact – get big businesses involved, and we’re likely to see this tech popping up just about everywhere.
But that’s a look into the future. Right now, small business owners are the ones who’ve been dominating the Pokemon Go AR craze. Some have been buying “Lures,” which cost about $1 according to users, to attract Pokemon to their location. Apparently it’s been very successful at driving real foot traffic for many different businesses (a goal that can be a constant struggle for local businesses everywhere).
Come for the Pokemon stay for the drinks! pic.twitter.com/plKvECbKcg
— The Pink (@ThePink223Allen) July 9, 2016
Promoting outdoor activity for those who need it most
The gaming industry has long been criticized as facilitating sedentary behavior. We all know the gamer stereotype: a young/middle-aged man glued to his computer screen in a darkened room. He’s probably overweight, with some ample stubble as well.
Now, we actually have a game that is truly causing people to be more active in their daily lives. If you’re a fitness monster that works out every day, that’s great. But there are a lot of people (dogs are people too, right?) who could use a little extra active time outside.
People prone to depression are finding that Pokemon Go has encouraged them to be much more active than usual. In this game, you have to literally hunt the Pokemon down, and many game locations are placed in beautiful city parks and other scenic locations. Studies show that just 30 minutes of outside time per week can significantly improve a person’s mental state because of a phenomenon the Japanese call “nature bathing.” So Pokemon Go can actually be considered a healthy game, compared to those that require you to sit.
The other (albeit furry) person that is LOVING this whole Pokemon Go thing is your dog. Many people are reportedly choosing to walk their dogs on a more regular basis because of the opportunity to snag a few extra Pokemon along the way. One animal shelter in Indiana has taken this concept and used it to get volunteers to walk the shelter’s homeless pooches.
So this app has indirectly promoted good mental health and facilitated a way for a community to do some good works (while having fun). And you better believe that other organizations will find ways to leverage this kind of excitement over reality tech in order to do good and facilitate change.
@antyfemina @kasica
pic.twitter.com/V0HSQoXt2v
— Piotr Grabiec (@pgkrzywy) July 13, 2016
Conclusions
The point of all the examples given is to show that, while you may be annoyed at Pokemon Go users huddled together next to your nearest city monument, there’s a bigger idea here.
The Pokemon Go craze will fade. Eventually. But because of its monumental success and the creativity shown by the millions of people who use it (I’m looking at you small businesses and animal shelters), more developers and businesses will look at AR and VR as viable investment opportunities.
This will lead to applications of this technology that we can’t even imagine yet.
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
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