'Pokemon GO' release date: big details expected at Game Developers Conference 2016

Pokemon Go ThePokemonCompany/Niantics

Niantic is ready to show a peek of "Pokemon GO."

During the Game Developers Conference 2016, "attendees will get a first-hand, in-depth look at how players are interacting and exploring the world with one another through Pokemon Go," according to the GDC website.

CEO John Hanke will be taking the stage to treat fans to a glimpse of the much awaited augmented reality video game during his talk titled "Catch 'Em All: Pokemon GO and Real World Gaming."

Pokemon fans are extremely psyched about the game because of its ambition. "Pokemon GO" is a game that will allow players to search, catch, train and battle Pokemon creatures in the real world, which means that there could be one sitting at a gamer's backyard or nearby park.

The augmented reality game used to just be a funny story that no one expected to come to life. Three years ago, it was simply an April Fools' joke between Google and The Pokemon Company.

"In Google, there's a culture where the staff release ideas for April Fools', then they make their own teams to realize those," Niantic Japan representative president Setsuto Murai recounted in an interview with Weekly Famitsu, as translated by Nintendo Everything.

"But for Pokemon Challenge, it was a staff member named Tatsuo Nojima who pulled out that idea, and he became the center of the development," he added.

From there, Niantic translated this gag into what fans have come to know as "Pokemon GO."

There's no release date yet for the title, but it is expected to make a splash this year. Rumor has it that the game may even be released with the "Pokemon Z." However, with "Pokemon GO" stealing the show in GDC, the unveiling for the other title is expected to be pushed back.

The Game Developers Conference 2016 will take place in San Francisco, California from Mar. 14 to 16.

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