The Pokémon Sleep app launched last summer can now be connected to popular smartwatches, thereby enabling users to integrate their sleep data into the game. This will potentially allow players to meet Pokémon that they wouldn’t encounter otherwise.
The Pokémon Company — jointly owned by Nintendo Co., Ltd (OTCMKTS: NTDOF), Creatures Inc. and Game Freak — announced this development Tuesday morning.
“Apple Watch wearers can sync their sleep data in Pokémon Sleep on iOS through the Health app,” the company explained. “Fitbit, Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch users can sync their data in Pokémon Sleep on Android via the Health Connect app.”
Previously, Pokémon Sleep would utilize a smartphone’s microphone to detect snoring and other disturbances while motion sensors measured other sleep data.
Now, the game can be connected to more accurate sleep measurement devices, which may boost the likelihood of encountering a rare or shiny Pokémon, or even a Ditto. Sleep quality measured is directly linked to the probability of these encounters.
Snorlax, the player’s assistant in the game, uses his “Drowsy Power” to help lure in Pokémon for the user to interact with. This power increases as the gamer gets more and higher quality rest.
【スマートウォッチ対応記念・特別映像🎥】#スマートウォッチ で睡眠計測！⌚
『Pokémon Sleep』のスマートウォッチ対応開始を記念した特別映像を公開いたしました🙌
ぜひご覧ください👀これからもポケモンたちと一緒に、
よりシームレスなナイトルーティンを✨#ポケモンスリープ pic.twitter.com/OVges4TQ8C— 『Pokémon Sleep（ポケモンスリープ）』公式 @好評配信中 (@PokemonSleepApp) September 23, 2024
Read more: Vivos Therapeutics surges on FDA approval for youth sleep apnea treatment device
Read more: REMSpace completes seed funding round for lucid dreaming tech distribution
App pulls in US$120 million since 2023 launch
The sleep tracking application has generated that amount of revenue within 14 months. It now has over 1 million regular users in Japan alone.
“I’ve used this app for a full year, and I can say with confidence that Pokémon found a way to make sleeping fun,” Checkpoint Gaming writer, Erielle Sudario, said in July.
“I get rewarded if I get a good night’s sleep, Snorlax looks really cute in the middle of my screen, and just seeing my team grow thanks to my time hitting the hay feels so rewarding.”
Although some players may be encouraged to sleep excessively to excel in the game, it is safe to say that this issue will be minor in comparison to the long list of terrible occurrences resulting from Pokémon GO following its 2016 release.
The Pokémon Company also just announced that Pokémon Sleep’s official album and playlist is now available on Spotify.
Coherent Market Insights has predicted that the global market for sleep apps will expand more than two-fold by 2031. The market researcher anticipates a 14.4 per cent compound annual growth rate going forward.
This industry is currently worth about US$1.1 billion and will be valued at over US$2.7 billion by that year, Coherent has predicted.
rowan@mugglehead.com
