A little more than three weeks after its arrival on iOS and Android platforms, Pokémon TCG Pocket, a new mobile game based on the world of Pokémon trading cards, is posting impressive financial and popular performances. With 120 million dollars generated in 21 days, this title far exceeds the debut of other flagship applications like Pokémon GO, which nevertheless marked the history of mobile games in 2016. According to figures reported by AppMagic, Pokémon TCG Pocket reached a average of $6.4 million in daily revenue, confirming an exceptional start.
A well-established economic model
Offered as a free download with integrated purchase options, Pokémon TCG Pocket is part of a monetization strategy typical of the sector. Players can acquire virtual card boosters or subscribe to a monthly subscription of around 10 euros to access exclusive benefits. If free allows you to attract a large audience, “God Packs”, random collections of rare cards, stimulate spending among the most engaged users. This model seems to particularly appeal to the Japanese market, which represents 42% of gaming revenues, followed by the United States (28%).
© PIXABAY
– Illustration of the Pokémon Go game
Income inequalities between platforms are also striking. Although more downloads were recorded on Android (4.2 million compared to 3.3 million on iOS), it is (unsurprisingly) Apple's ecosystem that generates the majority of revenue, with over 10.5 million dollars compared to 1.6 million for Google Play. This trend reflects the behavior of players on iOS, who are often more inclined to invest in paid content.
Global popularity but regional disparities
Pokémon TCG Pocket's success extends to many markets, but the distribution of revenue and downloads highlights geographic disparities. While Japanese gamers dominate in terms of spending, with average revenue per download (RPD) reaching almost $12, the United States records the highest number of individual downloads globally (29%), ahead of Brazil and Mexico.
This propensity to spend more in Asia is also indicative of local habits, where collectible card games, whether physical or digital, occupy an important place in gaming culture. In the West, practices focus more on free game mechanics, even if a significant proportion of users occasionally make purchases to enrich their collection.
Challenges to sustain success
Despite a promising start, questions persist about Pokémon TCG Pocket's ability to maintain this momentum in the long term. Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, highlights the challenge of retaining players in a highly competitive industry where initial appeal can quickly fade. “It is unlikely that the game will reach the scale of Pokémon GO, which generates around 1 billion dollars per year,” he tempers.
To meet these challenges, the developers have already planned new features, such as a card exchange system and regular events, in order to maintain player interest. DeNA, which co-developed the app with The Pokémon Company, could also leverage the calendar of seasons and updates to boost community engagement.
At the same time, user feedback indicates some satisfaction with the balance between optional purchases and free gaming experience, a key point for consolidating a sustainable player base in a market often criticized for its aggressive practices.
Pokémon TCG Pocket thus embodies a new stage in the diversification strategy of The Pokémon Company, which continues to explore innovative formats to appeal to an ever-widening audience. It remains to be seen whether this excitement will last and compete with the franchise's previous successes.
