Three months ago, the 10-year-old in each of us rejoiced with the release of the much-anticipated app Pokémon Go. Trainers of all ages headed outside en masse in a search for their new digital companions, causing a temporary surge in outdoor activity. It is true that Niantic Inc., Nintendo’s partner in the game’s development, faced a rough start as their underequipped servers burst at the seams with the sudden influx of millions of players. Nonetheless, the crew was quick to respond to consumer demand and fixed all major glitches within a few weeks. Technical difficulties aside, it was a geek’s heaven on Earth.

But this euphoria was short-lived. Right now, Pokémon Go has about 30,000,000 daily users worldwide -- an impressive number at first glance, but a major drop from a peak of roughly 45,000,000 users in mid-July. Even as a fan myself, I have found that my own gameplay experience is decidedly less magical. I no longer gain any satisfaction from hatching eggs or conquering local gyms, and honestly, it upsets me. Group identity, too, has broken down. I and my Team Mystic friends have lost our competitive edge, and innocent (?) banter between the teams has disappeared from the airwaves. Gone are the days of hours-long expeditions across town in search of a mystery ‘mon or a defenseless gym.

What happened?

Let’s rephrase that question. What is there left to do? We’ve collected hundreds of critters (read: Pidgeys), challenged and rechallenged all our local gyms (which are monopolized by overpowered Dragonites anyway), and trash-talked the other teams to no end (maybe it’s time to give poor Team Instinct a break?). Recent updates have attempted to spice up gameplay with new features such as a buddy system, where a partner Pokemon helps its trainer collect candy as the pair walks along, and a number of catch boosts based on type. But Nintendo and their affiliates at Niantic are quickly learning that these minor changes aren’t enough to bring back customers, especially when a multitude of newer, more addicting games are available for download.

Nintendo's transition into the smartphone market has been rough so far, but if it plays its cards right, it can reverse its earlier mistakes. Traditionally a console-based franchise, the company has focused on games showcasing lovable characters and simple yet immersive gameplay. Really, the formula for a winning smartphone game isn’t all that different, and Nintendo has mastered the art of reeling in veterans and newbies alike by building upon tried-and-true models. Take, for instance, the main series of Pokémon games-- it is heralding its seventh installment with the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon in November. Star power and a knack for ingenuity are certainly on Nintendo’s side.

But there’s a twist. Apps climb and descend the top charts at a blinding speed, most holding the title of first place for mere days. Such a turnover rate has (and should) intimidate game designers-- after that point, a game can’t do much to restore its former glory. Instead, developers are pressured to retain their core group of customers by responding to their demands. The time window for raking in astronomical profits is long gone, but a consistent policy of responsiveness will ensure a steady stream of revenue in the long run.

Bring on the new features, Niantic. Release the second generation of Pokémon soon, and plan to release the rest on a regular schedule. This new set would nearly double the catchable creature count to 251, giving even the most reluctant trainers an incentive to catch them all over again. Introduce a set of daily challenges to keep users involved with their team members as well as their rivals. My Team Mystic squad needs another way to prove our superiority beyond our monopoly of the single gym on campus. Lastly, implement a system for trading Pokémon to other players, locally or otherwise. It breaks my heart having to transfer a relatively high-level ‘mon that would have helped a friend fill their Pokédex.

Pokémon Go may have faded from the public eye for the time being, but with a number of tweaks it has the potential to become Nintendo’s bridge into the realm of smartphone gaming. With more Pokémon, new gameplay objectives, and, hopefully, fewer Rattatas, the game’s revival could be a walk in the park.