Technology Unite
Pokemon Go studio Niantic set to become more than just a games developer with Escher Reality acquisition
Plans to make AR technology more widely available later this year
Company Profile
Niantic
Website
www.nianticlabs.com/
About
We are a geo-focused developer and the creator of Pokemon GO, helmed by John Hanke.
We believe we can use technology to lean into the ‘reality’ of augmented reality — encouraging everyone to get outside and connect with the world around us. It’s our responsibility to consider user privacy, responsible use, inclusive development processes, and AR’s potential impact on the world now, not after the fact.
Related People
Ziah Fogel
Senior Producer
Matt Ein
Senior Game Designer
Karla Reyes
Growth Product Manager
Kellee Santiago
Head of Developer Relations
Kirsten Koa
Senior Software Engineer
Karen Tong
Senior Director of Product Marketing
Anne Beuttenmüller
Product Marketing Manager
Laura Warner
Senior Game Designer
John Hanke
CEO
+6 more
Accolades
Articles featuring Niantic
Pokemon Fry
Niantic taps British celebrity Stephen Fry and composer George Fenton for new Pokemon Go ad
Get a glimpse of the next wave of Pokemon joining the game
Pokemon Gone
Pokemon Go to stop supporting older iPhones and iPads on February 28th
Can't run iOS 11? Upgrade your phone or lose your game
Going East
Niantic readies Pokemon Go for China launch
Possible partnership with Chinese publishing giant NetEase
It's Like They're Really There
Niantic to improve AR functionality in Pokemon GO with ARKit integration
New gameplay features and more realistic Pokemon on compatible devices
Ingress Prime Time
Niantic to reboot its first location-based game Ingress with major update and anime series in 2018
Ingress Prime introduces a new narrative and some serious redesign
Go Money
Pokemon GO generates $16 million in tourism revenue for Japan's Tottori Prefecture in three days
89,000 people arrive in the region's sand dunes to catch Pokemon
Another Accolade
Niantic’s Pokemon GO snags BAFTA Children’s Award for best game
Trumps Monument Valley 2, The Playroom VR and Pokemon Sun and Moon
Critical Hit
Pokemon GO developer Niantic catches $200 million investment
Eclipses $30 million funding round in 2015
Ar-focused
Pokemon GO developer Niantic has no plans to enter the VR space
Prefers to be leader in AR instead
The Next Big Thing?
Pokemon GO developer Niantic making Harry Potter: Wizards Unite mobile game
Studio scores another huge licence
Toon Army
Niantic acquires animation platform Evertoon to add new social features to Pokemon GO
Evertoon's community services to shut down at the end of November
Draconious Go
Ukranian developer Elyland reportedly in trouble with Niantic over similarities between Draconius Go and Pokemon GO
Elyland reckon's it's in the clear
Best Of 2017
Top 50 Mobile Game Developers of 2017
The movers, shakers and moneymakers
Pokemon Pause
Niantic postpones events across Europe after Pokemon GO Fest debacle
Events in Copenhagen, Prague, Stockholm and Amsterdam delayed until later in the autumn
Pokemon Sue
Pokemon GO fans are suing Niantic for disastrous Pokemon GO Fest in Chicago
Fans want their travel expenses refunded - which shouldn't hurt Niantic's bank account too much
Pokemon Go Slow
Niantic CEO John Hanke pins Pokemon GO Fest issues on overloaded mobile data networks
Things went far more smoothly when everybody left
Glitch Fest
Pokemon GO Fest plagued by technical problems
Niantic apologies to 20,000+ registered attendees as it issues refunds for all
Pokemon Go Fest
Niantic to unleash legendaries in Pokemon GO during special live-streamed real-world event on July 22nd
Players in Chicago will need to work together to take down a legendary
Pokemon Galore
Pokemon GO players in Japan spent an average of $26 on IAPs in the game's first year
Sensor Tower ranks the top spenders in Niantic's megahit
Gotta Catch 'em All
One year on: How Pokemon GO has proved it’s more than just a fad
The right game at the right time
Big Update
Pokemon GO update revamps gyms in bid to improve retention
Raid Battles also incoming for new cooperative play
Pokemon Party
Pokemon GO clears 750 million downloads as Niantic prepares first anniversary celebrations
Time to crack open a cold Pokemon with the boys
Critical Hit
Reports of Pokemon GO’s death are greatly exaggerated
A look at how Niantic's smash hit has fared in recent times
Profitable Partnerships
Niantic charges up to $0.50 for every visitor to a sponsored PokeStop or Gym in Pokemon GO
May have generated between $900,000 to $3 million a day from McDonalds Japan at its peak
Pokemon Law
Russian blogger sentenced after posting video online of himself playing Pokemon GO in a church
Ruslan Sokolovsky found guilty of insulting religious believers and inciting hatred
Go Play Outside
Niantic partners with Knight Foundation to foster communities in the real world
Play Pokemon GO and make some friends while you're at it
Pokemon Society
Pokemon GO now has as many MAUs as the entire population of the UK
Expect that number to grow
Baftas 2017
Pokemon GO and Clash Royale snag Best Mobile Game and Audience eSports Award at the 2017 BAFTAs
Multiplatform title That Dragon, Cancer also wins Game Innovation
Vr Is Bad
Niantic's John Hanke thinks VR is a "problem for society" because it's too immersive
Says AR is the way forward, obviously
Pokemon Awards
Pokemon GO scoops Best Mobile/Handheld Game at 17th GDC Awards
Loses its three other nominations
Even More Pokemon
Three "major" updates planned for Pokemon GO by the end of 2017
Could PvP finally be on its way?
Critical Hit
Pokemon GO racks up 650 million downloads
Players walk a combined 8.7 billion km
Pokemon Back
Pokemon GO shoots back to the top of the grossing charts following major update
New Pokemon and customisation options helping boost revenue
More Pokemon
80 new Pokemon coming to Pokemon GO alongside new gameplay and customisation
If this doesn't bring players back, nothing will
Pokemon Damages
Developers now need permits to use Milwaukee parks in their games thanks to Pokemon GO 'damage'
County Parts Department attempted to hold Niantic accountable for damage to park
Gotta Catch 'em All
Pokemon GO reaches 4.2 million players a day in South Korea
Success continues for Niantic's hit game
Pokemon Go Korea
Pokemon GO launches in South Korea and shoots straight to second in iOS top grossing chart
Jumps to 2nd place on top grossing charts
Not Quite A Billion
Pokemon GO generated $950 million in revenue in 2016
More than global sales for Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
Public Safety
Pokemon GO faces wall to China release over security concerns
Government evaluating risks presented by location and AR-based games
Pokemon Watch
Pokemon GO Apple Watch companion app launches
Can it save wearables?
Pokemon Sit
Pokemon GO players walk more than non-players but only for the first six weeks after downloading it
Says a study from the British Medical Journal
Go To India
Pokemon GO to officially launch in India following Niantic partnership with Reliance Jio
No data charges on the game until the end of March
Pokemon Going
Pokemon GO adds first new batch of pokemon five months after launching
Also gives Pikachu a Santa hat
Pokebucks
Niantic partners with Starbucks to turn over 7,800 stores into PokeStops for Pokemon GO
There's a new Frappuccino too
Best Of The Best
Pokemon GO catches Best Mobile/Handheld and Best Family awards at The Game Awards 2016
Beats Clash Royale to the former
Everybody Loves Pokemon
Pokemon GO is the most played game of all time in Japan
According to a not-very-scientific survey
Ar Trumps Vr
Pokemon GO named Mobile Game of the Year 2016 at The Golden Joystick Awards
Also wins Innovation of the Year over Oculus Rift and HTC Vive
Daily Pokemon
Four months after launch, Pokemon GO adds Daily Bonuses to boost retention
Does it even need it at this point?
Pokemon Ghoul
Pokemon GO sees daily revenues up to $4.6 million a day during Halloween live event
Revenues up 133% worldwide for four days during the event