Pokémon Go fans gather in Times Square to celebrate 10 years of game – video
Pokémon Go marked its 10th anniversary with a large-scale celebration in New York's Times Square, where fans gathered for a special in-game event centred on defeating the powerful Pokémon species Mewtwo. The gathering highlighted the enduring popularity of the augmented-reality mobile game, which has retained a dedicated community of players a decade after its launch.
According to organisers, nearly 2,000 people played the game together simultaneously during the takeover, in what they described as one of the largest in-person Pokémon battles in history. The event was captured in a short video published by the Guardian, underscoring the communal, real-world dimension that has been central to Pokémon Go's appeal since its release.
- Poku00e9mon Go celebrated its 10th anniversary in Times Square.
- Nearly 2,000 fans played together to defeat Mewtwo.
- Organisers called it one of the largest in-person Poku00e9mon battles ever.
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Pokémon Go is a mobile game released in 2016 that uses augmented reality technology—overlaying digital creatures onto the real world through a smartphone camera. When it launched, it became a global phenomenon, drawing millions of players outdoors to catch creatures and creating unprecedented real-world gatherings of gaming enthusiasts.
Most mobile games fade from popularity within a few years, but Pokémon Go has maintained a devoted community of players for a full decade. This longevity is notable in a competitive market, particularly for a game that relies on active outdoor engagement rather than keeping players glued to their screens.
Pokémon Go's defining feature is that it requires players to leave their homes and meet others in physical locations rather than playing alone online. This real-world, communal aspect has been central to the game's identity and appeal since its launch, making public gatherings of players a natural part of how the game is experienced.