Will Pokémon Go pave the way for increased land values in Singapore?

16 Singapore malls are already cashing in the game’s popularity.

When people started going out in the streets in search for Pokémons, property owners and developers saw an opportunity to reap gains from the game.

According to JLL Research analyst Takeshi Akagi, the popularity of the game could influence land values by making them hotspot landmarks for gamers, with nearby business establishments becoming exposed to increased traffic of gamers.

“While it remains far-fetch [sic] to consider that placing Pokéstops and Gyms will add any asset value, the increased footfall and traffic allow property owners and developers a chance to cash in,” Akagi noted.

In Singapore, at least 16 malls have already joined the bandwagon and participated in the mobile game by placing hotspots.

“Still, it is much too early to quantify the app’s true impact and its ambitions. Its soaring popularity should still be scrutinized from every angle to draw conclusions for the economy’s residual opportunities,” he explained.

However, he argued that the game have already shown to become a real societal phenomenon.

"As more of these economic and social impacts of the game come into full realisation, Pokemon GO may have just started something monumental in revolutionizing the residual effects of the simple pleasure in gaming," he said.

For him, the virtual reality game could see the birth of prop-tech or property technology, similar to the concept of financial-technology.

In Asia, the business has successfully integrated the game into their midst. In Japan, the launch of the game saw the conversion of over 2,800 fastfood chains into Pokestops and Gyms, which helped increase sales and boost branding.