1,500 Pokémon Go Players Gather in Times Square to Battle Mega Mewtwo Y

The atmosphere in Times Square was electric on Thursday evening as over 1,500 Pokémon Go players convened for one of the largest real-world Pokémon battles in history. This event celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Go, the mobile game that captivated millions since its launch in 2016.

Players were invited to participate in a special raid against Mega Mewtwo Y, a legendary Pokémon, as they experienced a unique blend of gaming and live entertainment. The event featured a live EDM concert by Loud Luxury, followed by the much-anticipated battle displayed on the iconic screens of Times Square.

Celebrating a Decade of Pokémon Go

Since its debut, Pokémon Go has transformed the way players engage with mobile gaming. The game saw over 130 million downloads within its first month and reached a peak of 232 million active players in its inaugural year, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue. According to data from AppMagic, player spending has exceeded $9 billion over the game's lifetime.

As the game evolved, it became one of the first mobile “forever games,” continuously updating and expanding its features. Michael Steranka, vice president of product at Scopely, noted, “We sort of made promises to players on the type of game that this was going to be. Now, 10 years later, when we look back at that trailer, we feel like we’ve actually delivered on a lot of the promises made there.”

Exclusive Invitations and Special Events

To manage the crowd in one of the busiest locations on Earth, invites were sent to 2,000 Pokémon Go players through community ambassadors. Participants were informed about thematic raids in the area, with the surprise event revealed shortly before it began. Notifications prompted ticketed players to head to Times Square for the special occasion.

The event was livestreamed across all Pokémon platforms, allowing fans worldwide to engage in the Mega Mewtwo Y battle during a special Pokémon Go Fest Global virtual event that followed. “Everyone around the world can play that for free this weekend,” said Mark Van Lommel, Scopely’s director of marketing communications.

Player Engagement and Community Growth

Over the past decade, Pokémon Go has attracted more than 800 million players, with a staggering 1 trillion Pokémon caught. In 2024, the game boasted more than 100 million active players and generated $1 billion in revenue. Daily engagement averages around 45 minutes, with players collectively walking over 62 billion miles in pursuit of Pokémon.

Community involvement has also flourished, growing from 50 community ambassadors to over 3,000 worldwide. Live events have become a hallmark of the game, with nearly 1 million tickets sold in 2024 alone. Daily playtime and real-world exploration have seen double-digit growth, with engagement up 10 percent and exploration increasing by 29 percent.

As players reflect on their experiences, many share personal stories about how the game has impacted their lives positively. Howie Ragunton, a player since 2016, highlighted the social connections he made through the game, stating, “The game helped me socialize; it made me go out, and that’s kind of what I love about it.”