With Pokémon Pocket, the Pokémon Company once again proves its ability to appeal to mobile players. The new title, developed in collaboration with DeNA and Creatures Inc, displays impressive performance from launch. The first statistics reveal revenues 70% higher than those of Pokémon GO over the same period. A success that comes at the right time for the Japanese giant, faced with a continuous decline in its sales for several quarters.
A launch that shakes up the mobile gaming market
The success of Pokémon Pocket owes nothing to chance. The game quickly rose to the top of the card app charts on the App Store and Google Play, overtaking established competitors like UNO! from Mattel or Hearthstone from Activision Blizzard. This performance demonstrates the lasting appeal of the Pokémon franchise, but also the relevance of the chosen economic model.
The developers have opted for a classic free-to-play formula, enriched with a monthly subscription of 10 euros and a virtual currency system. This approach allows players to discover the game world for free while offering purchase options for the most passionate. Being big Pokémon Pocket players ourselves here at the editorial office, our testimony is summed up by the fact that there is very little pressure to make purchases.
Contrasted economic outlook despite initial euphoria
Analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities, however, tempers the ambient enthusiasm. According to him, Pokémon Pocket will struggle to match the phenomenal success of its predecessor. “The game is unlikely to reach the scale of Pokémon GO, which generates around $1 billion per year”he explains.
Despite these reservations, recent history shows that mobile games can significantly contribute to the performance of the Pokémon Company. Pokémon GO has generated more than $5 billion since its launch in 2016.
With 38 million downloads in less than a month, the game has a solid foundation for generating recurring revenue. Retaining player loyalty and converting them into paying customers will be the next major challenges to sustaining the success of Pokémon Pocket.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket generates $101 million in 25 days
- Revenue exceeds Pokémon GO by 70% at launch
- Analysts remain cautious about the game’s long-term potential
