Source: S&P Datastream
Nintendo's stock has surged more than 85 per cent since the game's release, while shares in Bango have soared over 40 per cent. Although Nintendo won't profit significantly Pokémon Go, investors are betting that it can turn other beloved gaming franchises - including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong - into best-selling smartphone games. Meanwhile, Bango's chief executive penned a blog stating that the game is a multi-billion dollar opportunity and Pokémon coins, which players can purchase with real money to buy in-game items, are "selling very well".
Pokémon Go has captured millions of people's imagination because of its innovative gameplay, and is likely to herald a new generation of smartphone games. Google spin-off Niantic's augmented reality technology uses a player's smartphone camera to superimpose Pokémon - virtual monsters - onto the real world. The game also uses Google Maps to track players' real world location and assign Pokémon to suitable environments. For instance, Squirtle - a water-type Pokémon - can be found in waterways. While players keep their eyes peeled for rare Pokémon, investors should remain on the lookout for opportunities to capture growth in this nascent market.
