Pokemon Go: what? Nintendo is evolving!

Pokemon Go, a smartphone game built on augmented reality using Google Maps, has become a global craze following its staggered release across several countries. Despite technical difficulties and bizarre news stories regarding usage, downloads are estimated in the millions and the fad shows no signs of abating. Nintendo seemed to prosper from the interest, with investors driving share prices up until Friday when it suffered its biggest drop since the 1990s.
The decline was prompted by a statement released by Nintendo following the game’s launch in Japan, stating that it did not own either the game, which is instead made by Niantic, a Google spinoff, and that it only owned a minority share in the Pokemon Company. This was not new information, and had been clear from the beginning; however it should encourage Nintendo given the success of its gaming related intellectual property.
Pokemon Go has also yet to be released in China or South Korea, two large mobile gaming markets, but both have restrictions on Google Maps data which could jeopardize the game’s entry. Nintendo is moving forward with its own collaboration in mobile gaming rather than pure licensing, with plans to explore wearable tech as well. It may be a case of adapt or die for Nintendo, as its portable hardware continues to suffer from mobile gaming’s expansion. The company has also been working on an updated NES system, its most prominent in the 90s; however the efforts have been concentrated in hardware rather than porting to smartphones, which suggest the company is hesitant to fully commit to mobile.