Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO is a location-based augmented reality mobile game where players catch, trade, and battle Pokémon in real-world locations using GPS and cameras. Now owned by Scopely, the free-to-play title monetizes through in-app purchases, battle passes, and ticketed live events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Pokémon GO does
Pokémon GO is a location-based augmented reality mobile game in which players use smartphone GPS and cameras to find, catch, train, trade, and battle virtual Pokémon overlaid on real-world environments. The title was developed and operated by Niantic, Inc. from its July 2016 launch and acquired by Scopely for $3.5 billion in 2026. Core gameplay revolves around PokéStops and Gyms anchored to real-world landmarks, egg hatching, buddy progression, raids, and seasonal content. The product is supported by a continuous calendar of monthly Community Days, themed events (e.g., Sustainability Week, Spring Marathon), and ticketed in-person experiences including GO Fest and Pokémon GO Tour.
The underlying technology stack combines GPS, AR camera overlays, and Niantic's location platform, with a Visual Positioning System developed by Niantic Spatial that has been applied commercially to autonomous delivery robot navigation under a March 2026 partnership with Coco Robotics. Distribution spans the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, and a dedicated web store, with the game localized in 13+ languages.
Monetization is freemium: the base game is free and revenue is generated through in-app purchases of PokéCoins, seasonal battle passes, premium event passes, web-store purchases, and ticketed live events. The customer base consists of mass-market mobile gamers, dedicated Pokémon franchise fans, and social/community-driven players who organize coordinated raid groups and in-person meetups. Copyright and IP are held by The Pokémon Company, the Nintendo–Game Freak–Creatures joint venture, which licenses the franchise to Niantic/Scopely.
Pokémon GO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pokémon GO
- Legal name
- Niantic, Inc.
- Website
- https://pokemongolive.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pokémon GO is a location-based augmented reality mobile game where players catch, trade, and battle Pokémon in real-world locations using GPS and cameras. Now owned by Scopely, the free-to-play title monetizes through in-app purchases, battle passes, and ticketed live events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pokémon GO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile AR Gaming
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Destination Theme Parks (Large-Scale, Multi-Attraction Parks) (THAJAEAA)
Keywords
Where Pokémon GO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Pokémon GO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- In-App Purchases: Players can purchase virtual currency (PokéCoins) and spend on items, Pokémon storage, event passes, and cosmetic items. This is the primary monetization mechanism.
- Battle Passes: Seasonal battle passes and premium event passes that provide exclusive rewards and enhanced gameplay experiences for paying users.
- Web Store: Web-based shop for purchasing in-game items and event tickets, operating separately from in-app purchases to incentivize purchases outside the app ecosystem.
- In-Person Event Tickets: Ticketed access to special in-person events like GO Fest and Pokémon GO Tour events, both through the in-game store and dedicated ticketing system.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play base game with optional purchases |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Pokémon GO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pokémon GO is a free-to-play augmented reality mobile game in which players use GPS and device cameras to locate, capture, train, trade, and battle virtual Pokémon overlaid on real-world locations via PokéStops and Gyms. The offering is extended through seasonal content updates, monthly Community Day events, and ticketed annual events such as GO Fest and Pokémon GO Tour. Optional in-app purchases, battle passes, web store transactions, and in-person event tickets generate the primary revenue.
Product overview
Pokémon GO is a single flagship mobile AR game (now owned by Scopely following its $3.5B acquisition from Niantic) where players use GPS and camera features to discover, catch, trade, and battle Pokémon in real-world locations. The product portfolio centers on the core mobile app with integrated gameplay systems including Team GO Rocket battles, PokéStop/Gym interactions, egg hatching, and buddy Pokémon features. The offering extends through seasonal events, major annual events like GO Fest and Tour events (e.g., Tour: Kalos), and Community Day events. Underlying technology from Niantic Spatial leverages player-collected images for AI-powered visual positioning and robotic navigation applications. The game operates on a free-to-play model with optional in-app purchases and a web store for battle passes and promotions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pokémon GO Mobile App
- GO Fest
- Pokémon GO Tour Events
- Niantic Spatial Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- Pokémon GO player images and location data are being used to develop AI systems for robotic navigation in urban environments
Companies that use Pokémon GO
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pokémon GO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Pokémon GO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Coco RoboticscoreNiantic Spatial (AI spinout of Niantic) partnered with Coco Robotics to help their delivery robots better identify precise locations using visual positioning technology. The partnership leverages Pokémon GO player-contributed images to improve robotic navigation in urban environments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pokémon GO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pokémon GO social profiles
Digital presencePokémon GO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pokémon GO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Pokémon GO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pokémon GO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pokémon GO
What does Pokémon GO do?
Pokémon GO is a free-to-play augmented reality mobile game in which players use GPS and device cameras to locate, capture, train, trade, and battle virtual Pokémon overlaid on real-world locations via PokéStops and Gyms. The offering is extended through seasonal content updates, monthly Community Day events, and ticketed annual events such as GO Fest and Pokémon GO Tour. Optional in-app purchases, battle passes, web store transactions, and in-person event tickets generate the primary revenue.
Is Pokémon GO a public or private company?
Pokémon GO is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pokémon GO founded?
Pokémon GO was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pokémon GO based?
Pokémon GO is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pokémon GO make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. In-App Purchases are the primary driver. The others are battle Passes, web Store and in-Person Event Tickets.
Does Pokémon GO have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pokémon GO.
What industry is Pokémon GO in?
Pokémon GO's product category is Mobile AR Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAEAA, Destination Theme Parks (Large-Scale, Multi-Attraction Parks). Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7990.