POKÉMON GO DELIVERS ON 10-YEAR-OLD PROMISE

When Niantic released the first Pokémon Go trailer in 2015, the concept of coordinated multiplayer battles involving thousands of players seemed ambitious. The game finally made good on that promise this week. The event drew approximately 2,000 players—including many Pokémon Go influencers—to Times Square on Thursday evening for a special coordinated battle. The moment was marked by Times Square's iconic billboards going dark before lighting up to reveal the encounter. The gathering represents a milestone for the augmented reality game, which has maintained an active player base across its decade-long run. The event showcased the kind of large-scale, real-world coordination that defined Pokémon Go's original marketing, transforming the crowded Manhattan intersection into a temporary hub for the global gaming community. It's a notable moment for Niantic as the company continues developing location-based gaming experiences.