Blog post #6: Further Data Gathering

6/10

[Objective and Goal of the Interview]: What do we want to find out?

• How do PG users feel about the application? Why?
• What attracts the PG users in the first place, and constantly?
• What elements make PG fun and attractive to the users?
• How is the PG game used? How is the experience like?
• What is positive and what is negative?

Observation

Why is Pokemon Go striving even until this day while Harry Potter: Wizards Unite shut down on the 31st of November in 2021?

Successes of Pokemon Go

• Great timing: Pokemon Go was released on the 6th of July in 2016 during the summer holidays when the younger audience (children and teenagers) have time to engage and interact with the AR game.
• Nostalgia: Young adults are familiar with “Pokemon” due to the series of video games, animation, card games, comic books, movies, and merchandise.
• New technology: It uses both AR and GPS which enhances the immersion of the users in the created environment by encountering creatures while utilizing real-world maps, locations, and settings.
• Networking: Influencers, people, family, and friends spread this game. People form a community to provide information about this game.

Failures of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

• It is very similar to Pokemon Go, as there are items known as “Foundables / Cofoundables” to collect. However, it has better visuals because it’s more colorful
• Doesn’t have thorough tutorials or instructions, therefore, forcing players to spellcasting in a specific way which frustrated them
• The characters move unnaturally and have limited expression
• According to many players, they feel like the game forces Microtransactions as there is not enough storage or energy to keep playing
• Can’t interact with other players as much as Pokemon Go which some users found discouraging
• Some players feel that there is an excessive storyline within the game which can be overwhelming
• When Niantic Inc announced that they will shut down the game, some players were furious and outraged as they had done microtransactions
• The company just told the players to use the items they bought on the game before it shut down

Pokemon GO Interview Key Findings

• collecting pokemon / being unique,special / raid & battle
• exercise/ reason to go out
• constant exposure to the game by people
• FOMO from updates
• community sharing and interaction
• for single player aspect more and sometimes with clsoe friends/ connecting with family
• Storyline / familiar characters
• paywall / lack of resources to continue playing the game
• prior knowledge heavily dependent

YES to AR

• Pokemon “on my streets” -> immersive, interactive
• different experience from other games

NO to AR

• Only for specific reasons like buddy system that can only be done with AR.
• Don’t use AR features, does not increase excitement
• People’s view on playing AR games outdoors could be negative