That depends. There are two definitions of racism: one societal, the other individual. Societally speaking, racism is the oppression of one race by a dominant race(s). Individually speaking, racism is discrimination based on race.
Pokémon Go is racist in the first sense– none of the developers (presumably) meant to make their product less available to people of color. But because of some decisions, which were based on economics and ease, their product inadvertently ended up reflecting the racism of the society that we live in. Just like almost everything else: like Netflix, like newspapers, FitBits, etc. etc. etc., products are designed for those who can pay for them. And because of the history of racism written into the fabric of this country, people of color are economically disadvantaged. Can we blame product developers if they design their products for people who can buy them? They are just acting according to the logic of capitalism. They are acting according to the invisible hand, which harnesses the self-interest of individuals to work toward a better society for all… right?
In that sense, Pokémon Go doesn’t deserve to be singled out. Niantic doesn’t deserve to be called out. The solution– just get more developers of color– doesn’t make much sense at all. How are these companies supposed to hire more developers of color if economic disadvantage means that POCs largely never get the chance to acquire the kind of top-notch educations to qualify them for these positions? How are they supposed to design more games for POCs if our current economic structure means they wouldn’t be able to profit as much? That’s capitalistic self-harm.
Is Pokémon Go racist? Yes, but then so is everything else in American society. Nothing made here can escape the racist mold in which it is formed.