Pokémon GO is just the tip of the mobile augmented reality (AR) gaming iceberg when it comes to user interest, according to a Vasona Networks survey of people who play the game. The survey revealed that of the 11% of U.S. online consumers that play Pokémon GO, half would play similar mobile games that let them interact with characters in real-life situations. Most respondents play Pokémon GO at least weekly and more than two-thirds plan to play future versions.
The trend is a boon for game developers, but could spell trouble for mobile operators, especially as gamers clamor for more data-intensive features that could wreak havoc on already-congested wireless networks.According to the survey, 23% say the most exciting part of the game is playing outside, while an additional 17% cite the AR aspect as most exciting. At the same time, 69% plan to play future versions of the game, while 24% are unsure of future usage.
Some Pokémon GO players consider the impact the game will have on their mobile data uptake. If data were free, 51% say they would play more often, and an additional 26% said they might. Still, 35% of respondents worry about data usage when they’re out capturing Pokémon. As some operators experiment with new unlimited data plans, AR gaming traffic could spike accordingly, said Vasona Networks.
John Reister, director of product management for Vasona Networks
The next big mobile AR sensation could come overnight, as this one seemed to. Operators need to ask themselves, how data-intensive might the next game be as developers integrate more features, and how will my network react?
