It was during the last PokemonGO Fest, a major event dedicated to the Pokémon Go game, that we were able to speak with two people responsible for the mobile game. Discover our interview with Michael and Katty, responsible for Pokémon GO.
A quick flashback: it’s July 2016. Summer is in full swing and the French are discovering a brand new video game that’s coming, not to consoles, but to their smartphones: Pokémon GO. With a very original concept combining one of the world’s best-known licenses with augmented reality on phonePokémon GO has the effect of a tidal wave in the daily lives of French people.
Only a few weeks after its official release on July 25, 2016, Pokémon GO exceeded 130 million downloads worldwide, finally reaching the 500 million mark in September of the same year.
Building on such success, the Niantic teams (responsible for Pokémon GO) have since organized events across the globe to bring together players from all over the world. The “Pokemon GO Fest” (or GO Fest) allows players to get together for a weekend organized by the developers of the mobile game. An exceptional opportunity for some, especially since several exclusive Pokémon are generally revealed during these events.
We were able to go to the last GO Fest in Madrid to meet Michael Steranka and Kathy Woo, respectively director and product manager for the Pokémon GO game. Check out our interview.
Why is it important for Pokémon GO to hold events like GO Fest?
Michael Steranka: “These events are one of the pillars of the game. We believe that Pokémon GO is built around three principles: exploration, exercise, and social interaction. Pokémon GO Fest perfectly combines these three notions. Players move around all day, discover new places, and meet lots of other players.”
After the launch of the game and its sudden success, many people in the general public think that Pokémon GO is dead. What would you tell them?
Michael Steranka: “One of the most fun things about the game is how it has changed over the years. For those people who doubt the popularity of Pokémon GO, I invite them to look at photos, videos or gatherings at GO Fest. They will see so many happy and enthusiastic people from all over the world. By 2023 we will have around 100 million players. It’s not just players who have been coming since the very beginning. Every day we see new Pokémon GO enthusiasts who are embarking on the adventure for the first time.”
Kathy Woo: “We always try to do events that are aimed at everyone, not just the oldest players. I have a friend of my mother’s who started playing with a group of friends and who only hang out in their neighborhood to catch a few Pokémon But there are many different aspects of the game and for all profiles: player versus player, raids, battles against Team Rocket…”
When it was launched, Pokémon GO received a lot of criticism, particularly around residences and private places. How do you resolve this?
Kathy Woo: “There are a lot of private locations to consider for gameplay and player safety. Today we have a dedicated team doing a fantastic job of making sure Pokéstops and Pokémon are not located in private locations. Their job is to define where you should play and where you shouldn’t be.
So it’s not just a matter of reporting private places and then taking action? Does your team take action beforehand?
Michael Steranka: “We have very strict guidelines on where you can place Pokéstops, Gyms, and Pokémon. Players will always know better than us whether a location is private or not, so we rely heavily on their feedback. Our team always investigates reports of private locations promptly.”
Are you, yourself, Pokémon GO players or even Pokémon fans in general?
Kathy Woo: “I think I can speak for Michael when I say we are huge Pokémon fans and players. Michael is a lot bigger than me since he is already level 50 in the game and I am only level 46. I have been playing the game since day one.”
Michael Steranka: “I’ve been playing Pokémon my whole life. I was living in Japan when the first games came out. It was a national cultural phenomenon. I then moved to the United States where I felt like a second wave of Pokémon craze. It’s like a dream come true for me to be a part of this franchise. Pokémon GO is the best experience that can exist for Pokémon fans.”
France still has a lot of Pokémon GO players. Do you think Paris would be a good location for a GO Fest?
Michael Steranka: “I think Paris would be a great city to host GO Fest. This is the first time we’ve held one in Spain and I know our teams are doing a huge amount of work to find the next destinations. I can’t confirm that Paris is an upcoming destination, but personally, I would love it if we were there!”
What is the typical profile of a Pokémon GO player?
Michael Steranka: “I would say that there is no typical profile. That’s the beauty of Pokémon GO, that it brings together so many different faces! I once met a player who only caught the Pokémon Absol. He travels everywhere to find classic or shiny Absols and he regularly asks other players if they have any Absols on them. Is this a typical profile in the game? I would say that it seems like a weird fantasy (laughs) but there are players like me who like to battle and others who don’t care at all and just want to catch Pokémon”
Finally, do you have any advice for those who want to start Pokémon GO today?
Kathy Woo: “Learn how to make excellent PokéBall throws. It’s the best way to gain a ton of experience in the game!”
Michael Steranka: “get to know the local community. I think Pokémon GO is much better when you share the game with other people and we are developing a lot of features to encourage that. It will also allow you to face much more powerful Pokémon during raids that require a strong group to win.”