What has kept these players returning to Pokémon Go for a decade?

Pokémon Go was first released on 6th July, 2016, meaning it's officially a decade old this week. Where has the time gone!

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, I reached out to writers and content creators who have been covering the game for much - if not all - of that time to ask them what has kept them playing over the years.

Whether it's discussing the game's community or collecting creatures, I hope you enjoy what some of the biggest voices in Pokémon Go have to share. Thanks to everyone for their contributions, and I'd love to hear your own experiences since 2016 in the comments.

I still love the fantasy of being a Pokémon Trainer. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live out their childhood dreams of catching Pokémon in real life? But I’ve realised the magic is in the places it's brought me, in meeting new people, and in the communities that I’ve somehow gotten to help through Leek Duck.

Making infographics for millions of Trainers has been more rewarding than I ever expected a hobby to be. But nothing captures that quite like the time I overheard two friends telling each other to "just check Leek Duck." A decade in, that moment still makes me giddy.

Over the last 10 years, Pokémon Go has been something of a constant companion. When I moved to a new town, it connected me with other players who became friends. Whenever I travel, it helps highlight things I'd likely miss. And when I'm far from home, its friendly push to walk one street further, go check out that little park, go battle that gym, always offers rewards for seeking something new. Oh, and I've caught some pretty cool Pokémon in the process. Here's to the next 10 years.

Pokemon Go has kept me engaged since 2016 because of the constant evolution of mechanics and careful implementation of Pokémon. It's easy to think having all the Pokémon available all at once is what is most fun, but the introduction of Pokémon in themed events has kept me curious about what's coming next. It also allows me to focus on celebrating one particular Pokémon and making sure it has its time in the spotlight.

It's never really about shiny counts or hundos for me - I love completing the Pokédex and trying to fill as many entries as possible, including all of the 100%, lucky, XXS, XXL etc. Gotta catch 'em all, after all!

Once I picked up Pokémon Go again more seriously in 2018, my goal was to be able to be one of those super-strong trainers who could solo and duo raids. While this isn't 100% possible anymore with Super Mega Raids and Gigantamax Max Battles, I still feel inspired to create a very strong team of Pokémon – one that can help my local community clear content easier.

I'm not as strong as some of my local powerhouses, but I'm slowly getting there! I also just like collecting things. It's satisfying to hit that platinum medal for completing a Pokédex, and I love seeing a new shiny register in my shinydex, too.

Cześć! So when Pokémon Go launched in 2016, it was something new! I remember downloading it before its official European release just to try it. After a few months, I started getting bored. It felt like something was missing. Until late 2019, I only opened the game occasionally and didn’t really follow the updates.

Then 2020 changed everything. I saw that remote raids, more events, new Pokémon generations, trading, and so many other features had been added. I came back, and I’ve been playing ever since. What I love most is that everyone can find their own way to play. If you love PvP, go for it - you can focus only on PvP. If you want to hunt shinies, you can do that too. Truly sandbox!

My favourite part, however, is the community aspect. It’s amazing to play in person while being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about the same game. I especially love Go Fests! The fact that the game takes place in the real world makes traveling much more exciting! Whenever I travel, I always check if there’s a Pokémon Go event happening nearby and enough PokéStops around. And if not, I try to create them! Many of my trips have been planned because of Pokémon Go.

I hope the game keeps growing and continues to bring us unforgettable experiences!

I am a day one Pokémon Go player. What’s kept me coming back is literally the community. This game came out when I had just moved abroad, exploring a completely new country. I found people who were kind, fun to be around, and became lifelong friends. A decade on, I am attending a wedding next year of two people who met via Pokémon Go, and I am their bridesmaid.

As an ambassador, I have been able to be a part of a community full of different individuals all with one common thread; the love of playing together. We are a community, we support each other, we are there for each other when times are tough. It’s like a second family all brought together through this game.

Pokémon Go really is a paradox in gaming. It has such heart in bringing the Pokémon we all know and love into the real world in a way that hadn’t been seen before. It’s really hard to put into words what it means to me, but I just keep playing because it’s fun.

While it’s frequently passive play while I go for a run or am at an event, nothing beats the community aspect; the going to a large event to do raids with local players, or to special events like Pokémon Go Fest where you meet players from around the world who love the same thing you do. I still send special gifts and remote trade with people I met in Japan for Go Fest Osaka back in 2023.

It’s all about the community aspects that keeps me going, more than just the standard daily catches.

Continue reading One More Catch's Pokémon Go 10th anniversary coverage with a look at what the game was like in 2016, and news of a site sale and new supporter features.

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