It?s ironic that for all the investment Google poured into the Google+ social network, one of the world’s most valuable brands spun out a business responsible for one of the most exciting social media phenomenon since the launch of Facebook: Niantic Labs, creators of Ingress and Pokemon Go.
Pokemon Go is more than the most popular mobile game in U.S. history and a (pocket) monster revenue generator (in-application payments surpassed $268 million in just five weeks after release). The augmented reality game has become a massive social online/offline experience without really trying to be.
Although you can play Pokemon Go on your own, the game really thrives off teams of Pokemon trainers sharing the joy of capturing Pokemon, visiting PokéStops (real-world locations where trainers can collect XP, PokeBalls and other items to help in the game) and taking over Gyms (locations where trainers train their Pokemon, battle other teams and gain additional XP and coins). Consider the following: Thousands of Pokemon Go trainers are gathering in cities ranging from New York to San Francisco in order to play organized sessions together. About 9,000 people gathered in San Francisco to play Pokemon Go–an event that originated as a Facebook event page. Thousands more have played the game around the world, including in cities such as Madrid.
The game has become a means for people to meet each other and form friendships, and even romantic relationships. Trainers are forming s...