Pokemon Go said to be getting retail-sponsored locations

OREANDA-NEWS. July 14, 2016.  Ads are just a reality these days. And perhaps an augmented reality too.

Niantic, the developer behind the smash-hit augmented-reality game Pokemon Go, is reportedly planning to let companies sponsor places on the game's virtual map. CEO John Hanke told the Financial Times "sponsored locations" would provide a new revenue stream, in addition to in-app purchases.

Pokemon Go, a mobile game developed by Niantic and Nintendo for the iOS and Android platforms, tasks people with exploring real-life locations to find and catch imaginary monsters. Those real-life locations might soon be advertisers. Niantic takes a similar approach with advertisers in its other AR game, Ingress.

Niantic did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation and comment about sponsored locations.