Over the weekend we asked Pokémon Go players which of the game’s three factions they were backing—Team Instinct, Team Mystic or Team Valor. With more than 100,000 responses recorded the big blue bird of Team Mystic reigns supreme.
I’ve been watching results since the poll opened on Saturday evening, and the results have been pretty consistent throughout. The blue Team Mystic, represented by Articuno, has maintained a steady seven to eight percent lead over its closest competitor, Moltres-backed Team Valor.
And then there’s poor Team Instinct. Poor, poor Team Instinct. Don’t be sad, little Zapdos hatchlings. You’re still beating Team Not Playing by a wide margin.
Why are players picking Team Mystic over the other two? It could be depiction in-game as wise, analytical and intelligent. Maybe the word “Mystic” touches something primal and mysterious inside human hearts.
Or maybe it’s just the one in the middle.
Mind you these numbers don’t mean Team Mystic is destined to win the Pokémon Go war. Having a bigger army only matters if everyone is fighting.