Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocketis off to a hot start, but can it replicate or even outpace the success of Pokémon’s other major mobile game? Recent reports indicate that the new mobile app is outpacingPokémon GO’s daily sales by a 4 to 1 margin. Assuming that the stats are accurate, it’s a sign of the early success thatPokémon TCG Pocketis having. But whilePokémon TCG Pocketis successful now, one major question is whether it can keep up the momentum, especially now that we’ve seen howin-game events will play out in the game.
New apps always tend to perform well,but Pokémon TCG Pocketseems poised to have lasting power among its fanbase. Not only does it play into the collectibility of the physical card game, butit also offers a short and sweet gameplay experience that’s similar toMarvel Snap. Plus, the game also has the backing of the Pokémon franchise, which is one of the biggest in the world. Still,Pokémon TCG Pocket’s success isn’t dependent on how successful the game is now, but rather how successful it will be in a few months or even a few years.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Is Making Three Times As Much As Pokemon Go
According toAppmagic,Pokémon TCG Pocketmade $12.1 millionin the first four days after launch.That $3-million-a-day pace is approximately three times as much asPokémon GO’s current $1-million-a-day revenue stream. Keep in mind thatPokémon TCG Pocketis a free-to-play game,provided that players are content to open only a couple of packs of cards per day. Nearly half of the game’s revenue is coming from Japanese players, despite the fact that ten times as many American players downloaded the app than Japanese players.
AlthoughPokémon TCG Pocketis outsellingPokémon GO, the latter app still has a much larger playerbase. Over 30 million users have downloadedPokémon TCG Pocketsince its official launch, but current estimates fromActivePlayer.ioindicate that over 90 million players still playPokémon GOat least once per month.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: 10 Coolest Genetic Apex Cards You’ll Want In Your Collection
With memorable art and some powerful abilities, these are some of the coolest Pokémon cards you’ll want in your collection in Pokemon TCG Pocket.
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s current playerbase is still much smaller thanPokémon GO, although the new game’s players are more willing to spend money to get their collections started. Of course, the two games have totally different transaction schemes, withPokémon GO’s revenue coming from event spending and premium avatar items, whilePokémon TCG Pocketrelies mostly on spending moneyto get more in-game currency to open packs faster.
Pokémon GO Was A Phenomenon At Launch
Pokemon Go Was Downloaded Over 500 Million Times During Its First Three Months
WhenPokémon GOlaunched back in 2016, the game was a worldwide phenomenon. Over 500 million people downloadedPokémon GOduring the game’s first three months, andPolygonreported thatthe app broke the Apple App Store record for most downloads during its first week of release. WhilePokémon GOwasn’t the firstPokémonmobile app, it opened the franchise up to millions of new fans, with people flooding parks looking for rare Pokémon and contesting every gym in their neighborhood. It remains a touchstone cultural phenomenon, one that has arguably never been replicated by any game or mobile app.
Pokémon GOpushed thePokémonfranchise into a whole new stratosphere of popularity.The accelerated mainstream success helped push every aspect of the franchise to new heights, ranging from massive increases in popularity for thePokémon TCGto recent video games being among the top-selling of the franchise. ThePokémonfranchise is still benefiting from the success ofPokémon GOtoday, even as the game has slowly dwindled in popularity. There are many fans whose first game wasPokémon GO, or solely playPokémon GOinstead of video or card games.
How Pokémon GO’s Initial Sales Compare To Pocket’s
Pokémon TCG Pocket Is On Pace To Make Less Than Half Of Pokémon GO’s First Month Of Revenue
WhilePokémon TCG Pocketis currently outpacingPokémon GO’s daily sales,Pokémon GO’s initial sales figures were massive.Pokémon GOmade over $207 million in its first month, a statistic verified byGuinness World Records. Assuming thatPokémon TCG Pocketkeeps up its $3.1 million pace,it still wouldn’t reach half ofPokémon GO’s initial revenue figures. What’s even more impressive is thatPokémon GO’s transactions were relatively limited in its first month, with most players spending money on basic supplies like Poke Balls. Other features like Raid Passes, event tickets, and avatar items hadn’t yet been introduced by Niantic.
WhilePokémon TCG Pocket’s microtransactions are optional, the game has plenty of ways for players to invest. From a monthly premium pass to spending in-game currency to opening new card packs,Pokémon TCG Pocketis much more geared towards spending money thanPokémon GOwas when it first launched. That makes Pokémon GO’s initial revenue figures that much more impressive, although that was largely due to the overwhelming size ofPokémon GO’s early userbase.
Only Time Will Tell Which Pokémon Game Is Most Profitable
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Staying Power Is Still In Question
One thing thatPokémon GOdid right was offer a steady stream of in-game events and new features to keep its playerbase engaged after launch. While not every change toPokémon GOwas welcomed by players, adding trading, raids, and other new features helped push lapsed players back into the game or kept them from leaving in the first place. IfPokémon TCG Pocketwants to enjoy the same success asPokémon GO,it needs to keep its player engagement at a similar level.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: All Upcoming Promo-A Cards
With upcoming exclusive promo cards set to feature popular Pokémon and beautiful cards, trainers will want to look out for upcoming promo events.
There’s also the long-term staying power of a trading card game to consider. WhilePokémon TCG Pocketprimarily appeals to casual collectors, the major question is what players do once they’ve gotten their desired chase card.Is the competitive aspect ofPokémon TCG Pocketenough to keep players logging in on a daily basisuntil a new set is released? Or will players lose interest in the game after they start pulling duplicates over and over again? Even ifPokémon TCG Pocketis aggressive with its events, it may not be enough for non-hardcore players.
Of course, having two popular apps is a good thing for The Pokémon Company.Pokémon GOandPokémon TCG Pocketappeal to different groups of people, withPokémon GOaiming for more lifestyle play andPokémon TCG Pocketaiming at those who like to collect cards. The Pokémon Company probably doesn’t see the two apps as competition, but rather different ways that fans can express their love ofPokémonor discover new Pokémon for the very first time.
