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Hey, have you heard about this Pokemon Go thing? I think it’s pretty popular.

Groan all you want at that intro, but Pokemon Go is actually so popular that Apple recently told Polygon it’s been downloaded from the iOS App Store more times in its first week of availability than any other app in history.

Specific download numbers weren’t revealed, but after today’s Japanese launch, Pokemon Go’s record-setting ways should continue during its second week and its third and its…

It’s official, Pokemon Go is a blockbuster. Since its release last week, the game’s overwhelming success has caused a complete server overload and a $10 billion bump to Nintendo’s value as a company.

But what does the future hold for Pokemon Go? Speaking to Business Insider, Niantic CEO John Hanke said that we can expect big improvements to come to the game soon, and that includes Pokemon trading.

“[Trading is] kind of a core element,” Hanke says.

While he didn’t go into specifics as to how this would work, Hanke says that trading ties in nicely with one of “Pokemon Go’s” core virtues, which is that it encourages players to interact with each other in both the virtual and real worlds. Swapping Pokémon around would foster those kinds of interactions.

Hanke also confirmed the developer plans to add more activities to the Gyms and PokeStops players can visit, as well as improvements to the game’s augmented reality technology. A global leaderboard is also in the works to see who really can catch ’em all.

Pokemon Go, the Pokemon Company’s augmented reality game that places Pokemon in real world locales, is now available to download for iOS and Android devices.

In Pokemon Go, players around the globe will explore their surroundings to find and catch wild Pokemon hiding in their midst. Some wild Pokemon appear in their native environments—for example, Water-type Pokemon may appear near lakes and oceans. Once players have encountered a Pokemon, they can catch it by using their smartphone’s touchscreen to throw a Poke Ball. Poke Balls and other special items can be found at PokeStops located at interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments.

If you’re still not quite sure how Pokemon Go works, a brand new Launch Trailer has been embedded above. And if you need even more information, Nintendo’s Treehouse team provided a very extensive demonstration of the game during this year’s E3 Expo, which is available after the break. (more…)