10 States Trying the Hardest to Catch 'Em All
Not a day has passed since Pokémon Go's launch last month without people weighing in on the hype — whether they're die-hard fans who'll walk 10 kilometers in flip-flops to hatch an egg, or critics who don't understand how it feels for a Vaporean to escape. Fueled by nostalgia and a fascination with augmented reality, Pokémon Go has generated incredible user engagement — it has even seen more daily users than Tinder.
Pokémon Go has captured the hearts of some North American states more than others. This handy infographic from Internet Service Partners shows which states are the most interested in catching 'em all.
In Pokémon-Loving States, Millennials Are All In
The creators of Pokémon Go owe a lot of their success to the 18- to 24-year-olds who make up 60% of all Pokémon trainers. This age group is only a portion of the millennial population — which ranges from 18 to 34 years old — and is strongly represented in the states that are most interested in Pokémon Go.
Oregon, the state with the most residents on the Pokémon train, has a 44% millennial population. Though the fourth most Pokémon-loving state, West Virginia, has the lowest percentage of millennials on the list, Generation Y still makes up over a fifth of its population.
Pokémon Go Is Popular Even Where Activity Is Not
Pokémon Go requires players to be physically active to achieve success, so you might expect less active states to avoid the game. However, many users are bucking their states' activity trends. Arkansas is the second least active state in the country, but it came in seventh on this list. West Virginia and Texas are two other states with low activity rates that also made the top 10.
In 2013, almost a third of adults in West Virginia reported getting no physical activity — but Pokémon Go may be on track to change that. Barring the top three states on the list, which all rank in the top five for activity rates, a state's lack of activity doesn't seem to hinder the popularity of Pokémon Go.
Other Apps Should Take Note
Pokémon Go's success highlights the market potential for other app builders who want to draw large numbers of users to their products. The app has tapped into a fairly unexplored niche of app-based games requiring movement and could influence other apps to use similar technology that encourages people to get outside and have fun.
Pokémon Go appeals to users' desires to be more active while satisfying their need for stimulation. It helps players escape the stresses of everyday life while also providing physical benefits, social engagement, a sense of community, and a nostalgic feeling of adventure.
Interestingly, none of the top 10 states most interested in Pokémon Go have the same most sought-after Pokémon. Could these virtual creatures soon become a matter of state pride?
