Pokémon GO Just Had Its Best Month in Three Years, Grossing $110 Million in August

Niantic's decision to have franchise antagonists Team Rocket invade Pokémon GO at the end of July provided rocket fuel for player spending in the title last month. According to Sensor Tower Store Intelligence estimates, the location-based AR game generated approximately $110 million worldwide in August.

Last month's revenue represented an increase of 44 percent year-over-year from the $76.6 million grossed by the title in July 2018. It was a 76 percent month-over-month increase from $63.5 million spent by players in July. August was Pokémon GO's fourth highest earning month on record, and its best month since September 2016. It has only earned more in July, August, and September 2016 when it grossed $256 million, $195 million, and $141 million, respectively.

The largest portion of spending in the title last month came from the United States, which contributed 40 percent of the total or approximately $44 million. Japan was a close second with 31 percent or about $34 million of the total. Japan is still the game's best monetized market with an all-time average revenue per download of $45. In comparison, the U.S. sits at approximately $10.

While spending in the game was way up last month, new user growth increased a more modest 10 percent year-over-year. Close to 5.7 million users installed the title for the first time in August across the App Store and Google Play, compared to 5.2 million one year ago.

Pokémon GO was the fourth highest earning mobile game globally last month after Honor of Kings, Fate/Grand Order, and PUBG Mobile, which grossed $141 million, $159 million, and $160 million, respectively, not including third-party Android stores in China.

Meanwhile, the Pokémon franchise's most recent entry, Pokémon Masters, is off to a strong start. The title has grossed an estimated $20 million worldwide since launching last week, Sensor Tower data shows.