First Click: Do you still Pokémon Go?
August 26th, 2016
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2016 has had more than its share of disappointments — enough to fill a decade, really. But it’s also responsible for Pokémon Go, a cultural phenomenon that managed to entertain and delight the world, seemingly all at once.
Every fad has its arc, some quick to decline while others ride a long tail that keeps them relevant for years. Hula Hoops, Rubik’s Cubes, and Slinkys, for example, can still be found in toy stores despite being decades old. Even the makers of Angry Birds are still turning a profit in spite of a precipitous decline in interest over the last few years. On the other hand there’s New Coke, Project Ginger, and disco; each burning white-hot for an instant before flaming out in spectacular, but merciful fashion.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg ran a report that showed people quickly losing interest in Pokémon Go. At launch the game quickly attracted almost 45 million daily users, falling to about 30 million more recently. Some decline is natural of course, as people, lured by the hype both real and manufactured, download the app to give it a try. People like myself, will poke around a bit to see what all the fuss is about, while others might want to see what’s dominating their kids’ lives. Curiosity sated, a sizable audience will never use it again. It's now up the game’s developer, Niantic, to keep adding features to make sure everyone else doesn't get bored.
What about you; are you still playing Pokémon Go?
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