Pokémon GO, the location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic and The Pokémon Company, has been downloaded more that 500 million times since its launch in July.
At Apple’s event in San Francisco, Niantic unveiled early details about Pokémon GO for Apple Watch. Fans can look forward to Pokémon GO for Apple Watch to launch later in 2016.
“The globally loved Pokémon brand paired with Niantic’s platform and game design that encourages exploration, exercise and making real world social connections has inspired millions of people of all ages to go outdoors together,” said John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, Inc. “We are encouraged by the fast adoption of the game and are pleased to see so many people walk and play every day. Pokémon GO for Apple Watch will be another way people can incorporate the game into their daily lives, even more seamlessly.”
- Niantic, which was originally incubated within Google, was founded by John Hanke, who previously helmed the Google Geo team (including Google Maps and Google Earth) after his startup Keyhole was acquired by Google. In 2015, Niantic, Inc., spun out from Google, becoming an independent company with investments from Google, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
