New reports indicate that Pokemon Go has shed over 79% of its paying user base, but continues to be the world’s top-earning mobile game.
Analytics firm Slice Intelligence has reported that the number of paying Pokemon Go players reached its peak on July 15th, and has since declined by a whopping 79%.
Good things can’t last forever, right?
However, that doesn’t mean it’s doom and gloom for the game; the title continues to top the charts and remains the world’s top earning mobile title. In August, the game earned 28.4% of the total mobile game revenue in the United States. Next in line was Candy Crush Saga, which only ranked in a relatively tiny 4.5%.
Read: Pokemon Go slated to get massive new features, including trading and a VR mode
The news looks to be part of a recent trend which is seeing Pokemon Go decline in overall popularity; recently the game was estimated to have lost around 10 million daily players.
That doesn’t mean the game isn’t generating a boat-load of cash. Slice Intelligence further cited that a recent spike has taken place among US online shoppers; the firm reports that Pokemon-related toy and game sales in August 2016 saw a huge (but unsurprising) 233% increase over August 2015.
That trend might well continue when Pokemon Go Plus – the wearable accessory that ties into the game and informs users when a Pokemon is nearby – releases on this Friday. The game’s fortunes might change when the title officially arrives on the Apple Watch later this year.
Read: 10 Pokemon Go tips and tricks for the budding Pokemon trainer
What are your thoughts on the news that Pokemon Go could have lost 79% of its paying user base since July? Is this the end for the game, or is its success just beginning? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
