Over the years, the game has sometimes been a victim of its own publicity and global appeal.

Police and safety groups once warned players not to focus so much on catching the next Psyduck that they would get lost or endanger themselves.

The game’s immense popularity also sometimes meant that “servers crashed under the pressure,” Reynolds said, meaning connectivity issues “were common for some time.”

And while the pandemic was seen as a blessing for many in the video game industry, Steranka says the initial strict lockdowns “affected Pokémon Go probably more than any other game.”

Gambling later picked up when restrictions eased and people again looked for reasons to go out.

Then, in 2025, some fans wondered how the future of gaming could change when Scopely, which is itself owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, bought developer Niantic for $3.5bn (then £2.7bn).

“My hope is that over time we show players that this is definitely a good thing for the game and the community,” Steranka says.

Looking ahead, Steranka says the focus of the game remains on community, memories and creating experiences that families can share.

“No matter where I’ve been or what stage of my life, Pokémon Go has been there for me,” he says.

“It meets people wherever they are, whatever stage of life they are in.”