The air crackled with excitement as over 1,500 Pokémon trainers descended on Times Square to battle legendary Mewtwo. The event marked the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Go's launch, highlighting its enduring appeal and the unique blend of virtual and real-world fun.

Scopely’s acquisition of Niantic brings a new chapter for the game, with plans to continue fostering in-person communities around the world. But as for Mewtwo, well, it was defeated. Again.

Dry wit aside, Pokémon Go has transformed from a quirky mobile sensation into a global phenomenon, with over 800 million players and nearly $6 billion in lifetime spending. It’s not just about catching critters anymore—it’s an entire ecosystem of community building and exploration.

For Howie Ragunton, the game is more than just pixels—he met his wife at a Pokémon Go event, making it clear how deeply embedded this game can become in real lives. The Niantic Wayfarer program shows the game’s potential to enrich communities beyond the screen, with players like Ragunton nominating local landmarks as PokéStops.

As we look ahead to the 20th anniversary, Pokémon Go’s future seems bright. But will it still be there in 10 years? Only time—and maybe a few more Mewtoos—will tell.