'Pokemon GO' release date: Niantic now sending field tests invites in Australia and New Zealand; new Battle and Evolution details leak out
Lucky fans in Australia and New Zealand will get to experience "Pokemon GO" in the flesh soon. Developer Niantic has announced in its blog that invites are already being sent out and explained how they pick out who gets the early access.
"Niantic will select users based on a variety of factors which may include OS types, experience in real world games and an element of luck," the update read. Selected fans should get an email from Niantic outlining the details about the "Pokemon GO" field test.
The Pokemon Development Team says that fans need not to fret if they are not among the selected "Pokemon GO" field testers. "If you don't receive an email, please be patient as we plan to increase the number of invites over time," Niantic promised.
Field test have been very helpful to fans who haven't gotten the chance to try "Pokemon GO." The latest round of information to come out of the event reveals that battles will last for only a minute and half but every second definitely counts.
Reddit user TheSilphRoad, who has been tirelessly collecting every piece of information about the highly-anticipated augmented reality game, shared an infographic outlining everything currently known about "Pokemon GO" battles.
As far as capturing Pokemon is concerned, the kind of creatures players will happen upon depends on the location. Water-type Pokemon will likely be found near rivers or lakes. However, famous Pokemon – the likes of Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, Eevee and Bulbasaur won't show themselves easily.
Evolution in "Pokemon GO" revolves around Evolution Shards, which are Pokemon specific. For players to collect the enough amount, which is 20, they will need to capture multiple Pokemon of the same species.
When the 20 shards are complete, players can pick one Pokemon from the species they collected to evolve. In the case of Pokemon that evolve twice, "Pokemon GO" will need trainers to evolve 10 Pokemon to the first stage before getting one to the second stage.
With the Australia and New Zealand leg of the "Pokemon GO" field test about to commence, more details about the game should emerge.
