Pokemon TCG Pocket marks first anniversary with Mega Evolution update

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket marked its first anniversary on October 30 with a major content update and celebration events, while industry data shows the mobile title generated roughly 1.3 billion in player spending during its debut year. The anniversary release introduced a large expansion that reintroduced the Mega Evolution mechanic to the game and rolled out a package of gameplay and system improvements intended to keep players engaged as the title enters its second year.

Data firm AppMagic estimates that Pokemon TCG Pocket earned about 1.3 billion across Android and iOS in its first year, a total that exceeds the first-year revenue recorded for the 2016 mobile release Pokemon GO. The app also reached milestones for downloads and engagement during the year, including about 10 million installs in the first three days and more than 150 million cumulative downloads by the anniversary, according to figures released around the milestone.

Developed by DeNA in collaboration with Creatures Inc. and published by The Pokemon Company, the game has followed a regular live-service cadence of monthly card releases, solo battles, wonder pick events and periodic booster drops. The...