Future World Preview: Pokémon Go's Phenomenal Launch

In July 2016, the mobile game Pokémon Go, developed by Niantic Labs, was released and quickly became a global cultural phenomenon. The game used Augmented Reality (AR) technology to overlay virtual characters onto real-world geographical locations, motivating millions of players to go outdoors and explore.

Pokémon Go demonstrated the commercial potential and user engagement of AR technology on an unprecedented scale, providing the first mass-market success story for the future industry—particularly the concept of the "metaverse," where the physical and digital merge in the Future World. Its success prompted other technology companies and investment firms to heavily allocate resources toward the AR sector.