In 2019, Pokémon GO from Niantic Inc. continued to captivate players worldwide, shattering records and cementing its position as a mobile gaming powerhouse. According to Sensor Tower Store Intelligence estimates, the location-based blockbuster generated an astonishing $894 million in gross player spending, marking its best year since launch.
This remarkable performance is largely attributed to significant updates, real-world events, and franchise integrations that kept players engaged and eager for more. The introduction of Team Rocket at the end of July 2019 sparked a surge in user spending, with August and September becoming the game's fourth- and fifth-best months ever, respectively.
Pokémon GO's revenue growth since 2017 can be largely attributed to its ability to adapt and evolve, incorporating new features and events that resonate with players. The game's top three months for user spending came in 2016, when hype was at an all-time high, generating $256 million in July, $195 million in August, and $141 million in September.
Geographically, the United States contributed significantly to Pokémon GO's revenue, accounting for 38 percent of total spending, with Japan and Germany following closely behind. Google Play accounted for the majority of revenue, with users spending $482 million, or 54 percent of the total. The App Store accumulated $412 million, or 46 percent.
In terms of downloads, Pokémon GO saw over 55 million installs in 2019, with the United States, Brazil, and India topping the list. Google Play dominated downloads as well, racking up an impressive 38 million installs.
Average revenue per download for Pokémon GO currently stands at $5.70, a testament to the game's enduring appeal. To put its record-breaking year into perspective, it was the No. 5 top earner worldwide, outperforming many other popular mobile games.
In the location-based gaming category, Pokémon GO remains the undisputed leader, with September 2019 release Dragon Quest Walk from Square Enix being a notable exception. While Dragon Quest Walk had a strong start in Japan, it was unable to surpass Pokémon GO's revenue in any month.
As the mobile game development landscape continues to evolve, Pokémon GO's success serves as a benchmark for other location-based games seeking to replicate its achievements. With its proven track record of adapting and innovating, it will be exciting to see how Niantic builds on this momentum in 2020 and beyond.