Just how big has Pokémon GO  become since it was launched? It has already been downloaded over 1 billion times in the past three years.

'Pokémon GO' Downloads

Pokémon GO  was an instant hit when it launched three years ago, first in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia on July 6, 2016, then in Europe a week after, and in Japan by the 22nd of the month. In fact, the initial launch was received so well that Pokémon GO  experienced technical difficulties that caused delays in many other regions.

Three years on, it is revealed that the phenomenal game has been downloaded over 1 billion times. That means that the number of people who downloaded Pokémon GO  could form a nation that would be the third most populated after India and China, and this is considering that the game is not even available in China.

While the impressive number does not reflect the number of currently active players, the statistic still shows just how big the game really is.

'Pokémon GO' Success

The game’s success was not surprising among Pokémon fans who probably never thought that they would even get the chance to “catch” Pokémon  as they do in the show, but the game was massive even among those who were unfamiliar with Pokémon. It was immediately clear that this was a new chapter of gaming that had even businesses and establishments putting up signs to attract Pokémon GO players.

In 2017, Pokémon GO won the BAFTA for Best Mobile Game and was also nominated for Best Family Game as well as Best Game Innovation. Last July 30, just weeks after its third anniversary, Pokémon GO  received the Sport in Life award from Sports Agency, a subsidiary of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Responsible Gaming

The company behind the game, Niantic Inc., recently partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to educate people about how to leave the places we visit better than when we found them. This is especially relevant since research has shown that 9 in 10 people who venture outdoors are unaware of their impacts. With Niantic’s biggest mission of bringing people outside to explore together, as seen with Pokémon GO , the partnership is truly needed for responsible gaming.

As such, with the partnership, Niantic events will now have new signs providing useful tips on how to explore and enjoy the surroundings responsibly.