Released on October 30, the successor to the phenomenon Pokémon Go released in 2016, achieved the second best start in history for a phone game with more than 170 million euros in revenue.
With more than 60 million downloads and nearly 180 million dollars (171 million euros) in revenue since the end of October, the mobile game adaptation of Pokémon cards has enjoyed worldwide success, not far from the records of its predecessor Pokémon Go . Released October 30, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket presents itself as a virtual variation of the playing cards that have haunted playgrounds since the end of the 90s, combining opening of “boosters” (sealed packs of cards), collection of creatures and online battles.
The game from the Pokémon Company, a Nintendo subsidiary that owns the brand, displays « one of the highest performances ever for a mobile game »note to AFP Sam Aune, analyst at the specialist firm Sensor Tower, with « $180 million » generated by the Apple and Google application stores in a month and a half.
“I had to spend 70 euros”
Developed by Japanese studio Creatures Inc., Pokémon TCG Pocket ranks second among mobile games that generated the most revenue in its first month of operation, only ahead of another achievement from Pikachu and his gang: Pokémon Go. The 2016 global phenomenon, which pushed tens of millions of players out of their homes to hunt virtual creatures, generated more than $200 million in revenue over the same period.
« This is really the first time that a mobile game has made me spend an amount like that »
Sacha Bernard, Pokémon TCG Pocket player
If it is downloadable for free, Pokémon TCG Pocket adopts the “free-to-play” business model, meaning that the player is then encouraged to spend money in the application to obtain more cards. « Since it came out I must have spent 70 euros »confides to AFP Sacha Bernard, 33, including around ten euros per month for a subscription allowing him to unlock additional “boosters”. « This is really the first time that a mobile game has made me spend an amount like that »he adds. If he admits to having let himself be tempted by « nostalgia »this librarian professor in Créteil (a Parisian suburb) is delighted with the format « short and fast » games that the mobile version offers.
Beyond the worldwide fame of the creatures created in the 90s by Nintendo, the game especially benefits from a « very strong synergy » with the physical version of the card game « popular for decades »says the Sensor Tower expert. However, this is not the first video game to virtually transpose the world of Pokémon cards: a Game Boy Color title saw the light of day in Europe in 2000, launched alongside the paper version, then another on computer in early 2010s.
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Derivative products
Popularized in the 90s, the concept of playing and collecting cards has since been used in a number of video games. Of Gwent of The Witcher III has Hearthstonefrom the fantastic universe of Warcraftthe card game has made its place in the hearts of gamers. But by using the codes of the physical card game, Pokémon TCG Pocket « has very effectively translated the opening of card packs and the gaming experience to digital media »estimates Simon Carless, founder of the consulting agency GameDiscoverCo.
On social networks, many players share videos where they discover their new cards or perform in tournaments, and the keyword “#Pokémontcg” has more than 1.5 million publications on TikTok. Above all, Pokémon TCG Pocket gave a boost to sales of physical cards. « It brings the player back to the Pokémon brandexplains Frédérique Tutt, toy market expert for the firm Circana. And physical cards remain the heart of the brand that collectors want to have at home to play and trade. »
Trailer for Pokémon TCG Pocket
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