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Pokemon Go said to be getting retail-sponsored locations

Companies might soon be able to pay to have their stores featured in the hit game's virtual map.

Michelle Meyers
Michelle Meyers wrote and edited CNET News stories from 2005 to 2020 and is now a contributor to CNET.
Michelle Meyers

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.