In what year did Pokémon Go launch worldwide?

Pokémon Go launched worldwide in 2016.

Niantic developed the mobile augmented-reality game in collaboration with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. It uses location data, mapping, a smartphone camera, and GPS-style movement to place Pokémon encounters in the player’s real-world surroundings.

The game first became available in a limited number of markets in July 2016, then expanded internationally. Players could catch Pokémon, visit PokéStops, battle at Gyms, and hatch eggs by walking set distances. Its launch created a major second wave of worldwide Pokémon popularity.

Pokémon Go was inspired partly by Niantic’s earlier location-based game Ingress. Although it uses familiar Pokémon characters, it is separate from the main handheld role-playing games and has its own mechanics, events, and progression system. The game continues to receive updates and new species after its original release.