Could the technology behind Pokémon Go! help encourage more of us to save for our retirement?

It might seem far-fetched, but in recent years a couple of financial companies have started hiring from the gaming industry in an attempt to make their products more appealing to consumers.

Let’s face it, most of us find pensions, savings and investments dull and confusing. Could more engaging money management apps, or elements of ‘gamification’ help to overcome these difficulties?

The theory is that if people take more interest in their finances, they’ll be encouraged to save more. So perhaps an app where users have to make a million from a fantasy portfolio could help plug the savings gap. Like Pokémon, this could marry real-world data – up-to-date share prices, for example – with a virtual pot of money.

You might think that a financial app is unlikely to be particularly addictive or fun. But let’s not forget that millions of people have downloaded games where they match sweets or keep an eye on a virtual farm.