'Pokémon Go' Release Date, Gameplay & Features: Here's What We Know So Far About 2016 iOS & Android App
The Pokémon Company is joining forces with Nintendo Co. and Google off-shoot Niantic Inc. to develop a mobile game known as "Pokémon GO."
The upcoming free-to-play game lets players find, search, trade and even battle Pokémons in real-time.
"For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the real world. Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world," said Niantic Inc. founder John Hanke via PC Advisor.
It is worth mentioning that Niantic Inc. has garnered critical acclaim in the world augmented-reality gaming for its hugely popular mobile MMO game "Ingress." The company's involvement with the current project has only heightened the expectations for "Pokémon GO."
"Ingress" utilizes Google Maps to place markers called "portals" on various works of art, historical sites and other public landmarks around the globe, which players can hunt for and capture. "Pokémon Go" promises to work the same way but only with Pokémon characters.
Red Bull notes that "Pokémon Go" can learn a lot from "Ingress" since the latter isn't all about taking advantage of real places, but it also has an appealing yet evolving narrative that has hooked fans since its release in 2012.
Niantic Inc. tells the story of "Ingress" through installments via in-game clips on Twitter and Facebook. There are also hidden clues on the company's website. "Pokémon Go" might use the same strategy to keep fans engaged.
Another tactic that the upcoming mobile game could employ is by having updates that not only fix issues but also add new in-game features. "Ingress" has an update that give its players the ability to create their own unique missions. "Pokémon Go" could enhance the classic albeit repetitive Pokémon battles by affording its players with a wide array of weapons and customizations for their respective Pokémons.
These considerations will undoubtedly improve the game although it still remains to be seen what "Pokémon Go" will eventually have in store.
In the meantime, it has been confirmed that the game will have a complementary, but separately sold, Bluetooth-enabled wristband called the "Pokémon GO Plus." The device blinks and vibrates whenever a Pokémon is near and lets its wearer catch the elusive Pokémon with a simple press of a button. Furthermore, it can notify players whenever Pokémon-related events are fast approaching.
Nintendo has since teased the device online.
One last look at the Pokemon Go Plus accessory #PokemonGo pic.twitter.com/61267l53cR
— NintendoTweet (@NintendoTweet) September 10, 2015
"Pokémon GO" will launch as a free download from the App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android sometime in 2016.
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