Pokemon Go celebrated its 10th anniversary, reporting more than 1 billion downloads across iOS and Android and millions of daily active users. The augmented‑reality game, which uses GPS and smartphone cameras to overlay virtual creatures in real‑world locations, originated from Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1996 and launched as a mobile app in 2016. Since its debut, it has hosted live events in more than 60 countries, averaging over 400,000 attendees per year since the first Go Fest in 2017, and players have collectively traveled more than 100 billion kilometres, roughly 334 round trips between Earth and the Sun. Michael Steranka, vice president of product at Scopely, the game’s publisher, said the experience has always centered on community. He noted that the 2025 Wild Area event was held in Doncaster, United Kingdom, marking the first European occurrence of the feature. Twitch creator j0beats, who runs a major Pokemon Go channel, described the gatherings as similar to music festivals, emphasizing the social energy of in‑person meetups. Austin, a player from Maine, said the game helped alleviate anxiety and depression by providing a reason to go outdoors and meet strangers. Safety groups have warned that excessive focus on catching virtual creatures can lead to distracted walking, and Scopely has acknowledged periods when server capacity was strained. The game’s popularity surged during the pandemic, but strict lockdowns initially limited outdoor play, according to Steranka. In 2025, Scopely, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, completed a $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic, the original developer. Steranka said the company remains focused on community, shared memories, and experiences that families can enjoy together.