Pokémon GO turns 10 today: Anniversary Party brings bonus XP and a special Gimmighoul

Key Points:

• Pokémon GO celebrates its 10th anniversary in July 2026 with a special event featuring bonus XP, Stardust, and a unique Gimmighoul carrying a 10th-anniversary coin.
• Since its 2016 launch, Pokémon GO has surpassed 1 billion downloads and generated nearly $9.8 billion in revenue by early 2026, maintaining a strong player base with about 55 million active users in 2023.
• The game significantly impacted mobile gaming by popularizing AR, GPS-based play, and real-world exploration, with players walking 8.7 billion kilometers in 2016 alone and boosting local business foot traffic.
• While praised for promoting exercise, social connection, and well-being, Pokémon GO has also faced criticism related to accidents, trespassing, addiction, privacy, and playing in sensitive locations.
• Now under Scopely's ownership following a $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic’s gaming division in 2025, Pokémon GO continues to evolve with new features like Adventure Effects, avatar updates, and Dynamax and Gigantamax battles.