While bugs and feature complaints are still causing a decent amount of negativity among users, Pokémon Go continues its upward trajectory in terms of overall revenue. App analytics platform Sensor Tower reveals that the game now have over $200 million in net revenue from players based on their estimates.
The spending frenzy in Go compares favorably to in-game revenue generated by other huge in-app purchase-driven games, according to data also tracked by the firm. Pokémon’s star power has helped it nearly double the first month revenue of Clash Royale, the other big in-app star this year. And it’s made almost four times as much as Candy Crush Soda Saga managed during its first 30 days of availability.
Data from Sensor Tower also reveals an important point to consider when trying to evaluate the game’s future revenue potential: Pokémon Go experienced a huge spike in revenue generation in mid-July – the day when it launched in Japan.
Japan was bound to drive increase interest and sales, given that the market is the home of the Pokémon franchise and the site of its most engaged and loyal fan following. And while it’s unlikely that anywhere else can provide quite the same revenue pop, Pokémon Go just added 15 new countries in Asia, which should lead to another sustaining boost.
And the biggest Asian markets still aren’t live for Pokémon Go: Korea, India and China still have yet to come online. Those should help Niantic extend its revenue winning streak, giving us a graph with an even bigger delta between Go and its closest competitors next time around.
Some 50 life-size Pikachu characters, the most famous from the Pokemon game, marched along the city’s waterfront street as visitors took mobile phone pictures and videos of them in scorching sunshine.
Some participants said they attended the event to search for rare characters of Pokemon — a word short for “pocket monster” — for the megahit smartphone app, which was launched in several countries around the world last month.
“I came here all the way to Yokohama, hoping to find different kinds of Pokemon characters,” said Teruko Fujisawa, a 45-year-old woman working at a trading house.
The event had no direct link with the app, organizers said.
Since its global launch, “Pokemon Go” has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones.
The free app uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles.
Pokemon has been popular in Japan since first being launched as software in 1996 for Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy console.
It expanded into other media, most notably a wildly popular TV animation show and its popularity has never waned.
Iran’s Supreme Council of Virtual Spaces, which is a real thing and not the dystopian government from a sci-fi TV show, has announced that Pokémon Go has been banned in the country.
As the BBC reports, the ban is related to “unspecified security concerns”, and comes following a short deliberation where the Council “were waiting to see to what extent the game’s creators would co-operate with them”.
While we’ve seen other bodies take measures against people playing the game (or remind folks about existing security arrangements), ranging from local councils in Sydney to Islamic leaders in Malaysia to the US military, this is the first time that an entire country has banned the game outright.
Looks like post-facelift Anakin Skywalker might not be the only prequels character stopping by for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
In an interview withThe Talk on Friday, actor Jimmy Smits dropped a hint that he’s got a cameo in the upcoming film. Now, unless they decided to all-of-a-sudden turn him into a Twi’lek, awesome as that might be, that means Smits would likely be returning as Senator Bail Organa.
“Can you say the word ‘cameo’?” Smits said. “Can you say the words ‘small part’?”
Getty Images
Not surprising, considering the recently released Star Wars Celebration reel appeared to show Smits on set reprising his role. Smits wouldn’t confirm, but close enough, guys. In fact, that’s what the ladies of The Talk pointed out to Smits, prompting his sort-of confession. You can see what looks to be him right behind the camera in the screengrab below.
Screengrab via Lucasfilm
For those who don’t remember, or like to pretend the prequels aren’t canon (you’re not alone), Organa was the first chairman and viceroy of Alderaan, who served in the Galactic Senate before helping to form the Rebel Alliance. He’s also the adoptive father of Leia. And yes, before you ask, he died when the Death Star obliterated his planet in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Pour out your blue milk now.
Smits wouldn’t be the only major appearance from a previous Star Wars film, although, if he’s actually showing up as Organa. Mon Mothma is showing up to lead the Rebel Alliance, and of course Darth Vader is coming back as his badass evil self.
While I’m not the biggest fan of the prequels, I do think it’s nice that one of that trilogy’s best characters might be coming back. After all, Rogue One takes place between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, so it makes sense. It’s also awesome because Organa has made several appearances in The Clone Wars, which is arguably what the prequels could’ve been if there’d been fewer Anakin whining scenes. Seriously that show is fantastic.
Here’s something twisted that will absolutely blow your goddamn mind: Suicide Squad, a very bad movie, set an August box office record on its opening weekend, raking in a hot $135.1 million in North American ticket sales, which is more than Guardians of the Galaxy, an actually good movie, brought in on its opening weekend in 2014.
First of all, I apologize. I saw the movie last night, so I’m a part of the problem. I have to assume millions of other people like me were so committed to hate-watching, they also spent $15 to go see what turned out to be deeply mediocre film. Seriously, Jared Leto should get his Oscar revoked.
On the bright side, the Associated Press reports that although there were large audiences Thursday and Friday night, ticket sales sharply declined on Saturday.
Even though Suicide Squad broke North American box office records for August, it will likely not get released in China, the world’s second largest movie market, due its completely twisted, messed up themes.
