Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Pokemon Go, an augmented reality (AR) game developed and published by Nintendo, has been a surprise hit. Combining the use of AR technology with mobile tech, the game has broken many records since its release. It is particularly important for China, a country which has the ambition of building an Internet power and pushes forward the "Internet plus" concept, to have a clear understanding of this phenomenon.
The reflection should not indulge in how to become the next Pokemon Go. Its instant popularity does not come out of nothing, but is thanks to the loyal consumers who have used the Pokemon cartoons, games and related products for a long time. These elements exploded when interacting with AR technology and mobile applications.
If we ignore the evolution of Pokemon and the development of its reputation and fans, and simply attribute the game's global popularity to AR technology, we may miss the point.
Cases similar to Pokemon Go are not rare. The widely watched movie Warcraft is an example. The prevalence of the film should be attributed to the careful work on the intellectual property right of the Warcraft franchise. From the single-player Warcraft game to the online game World of Warcraft and to the stream of information and world-building constantly released as part of the online game, Warcraft has built an unshakable reputation among its fans. That is why the movie has become such a blockbuster.
Therefore, when a cultural phenomenon or product becomes popular, we shouldn't think it is achieved in just one day. It is a combination of long-term accumulation and instance inspiration. Without hard work as the basis, inspiration cannot last.
Faced with such phenomenal marvels, China's innovation and technology industry should avoid being fickle-minded when aspiring for its own successes. Currently, China's Internet development tends to seek instant success, which is obviously impossible. Blindly chasing after quick success will only lead to grave dependence on copycat behavior.
As an old Chinese saying goes, better to learn how to fish than to stand by the pond. China does have intellectual property that has the potential to become a phenomenon. For instance, this year is the Year of the Monkey. A program featuring the Monkey King on the Spring Festival gala of Liaoning TV won enormous applause. If we can explore similar products and add such technological pushes as AR, we can expect China's own phenomenal goods.
For China, which is seeking new driving forces to boost its economic development via innovation, the popularity of Pokemon Go offers a big lesson. Nintendo, which originated the franchise, is over 100 years old. The Pokemon series can be dated back to the 1990s.
China's innovation and technology industry has huge potential, but it needs to keep a humble mind and accumulate its own advantages so as to create a miracle. Imagine the excitement of another Monkey King themed product.
