The support and mass appeal of augmented reality (AR) came from a different corridor from what many had expected.
While the launch of Google Glass was muted and people had already started predicting a slow pick up for AR-related technologies, Pokemon Go, an AR game for smartphones, has changed all that within a few days.
The game involves users going to different places using their GPS and camera to search for Pokemons or pocket monsters and upon seeing a Pokemon pop up on their phone screen, capturing it.
They can also challenge other users and, like any other gaming app, gain more points. Though launched only in the US, Australia and New Zealand a week back, the game—modelled on the eponymous 1990s cartoon series—has garnered the attention of millions around the world and is trending on app stores of both Google and Apple.
According to some reports, it now has more users than Tinder, an online dating app, and is inching closer to having the same number of daily active users as Twitter.
A report by SimilarWeb indicates that users were spending more average time per day on Pokemon Go (43 mins) than they were spending on Whatsapp (30 mins), Instagram (25 mins) or Snapchat (23 mins). So much so, that even thieves are using the game to lure people for a duel and rob them.
One can argue that games are immersive and the Pokemon phenomenon will fade into obscurity just like Angry birds did, and probably it will. But Pokemon Go opens up a new opportunity for gaming.
As game developers make users step into the real world, it creates a new revenue stream. For instance, restaurants are willing to tie up with Pokemon Go to attract more consumers. Not only gaming, Pokemon Go represents a big step for AR, as game developers can now focus on games that interact more with reality and allow users to explore their surroundings.
Although AR is to benefit as Pokemon has been a survey for its acceptance, companies will be wary of the fact that people might not jump to expensive wearables that many like Google and Microsoft are developing or looking forward to develop, if they get an AR experience on their mobile phones. For now, Pokemon Go is not the revolution that AR wants, but the one it needs.