"Pokémon GO," The Pokemon Company and Nintendo's much-awaited augmented reality video game, is set to be launched this year. However, it is likely to happen earlier in some areas than others.
According to Serebii, Tsunekazu Ishihara, the president and CEO of the Pokemon Company, discussed the release of "Pokémon GO" with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. According to the website, the translation of the interview suggests that the game will have a staggered release, first to be rolled out in Japan, North America and Europe. This will then be followed by the title's release in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. However, the website stated that this information is still not 100 percent certain since the CEO's statement is still open to interpretation.
Ishihara, however, did not disclose the exact time frame for the game's rollout.
There might be some new information at the upcoming Game Developers Conference, however. On Monday, March 14, John Hanke, the CEO of game developer Niantic, Inc. will host a session titled "Catch 'Em All: 'Pokemon GO' and Real World Gaming."
This game, designed for use on mobile devices, primarily those running on Android and iOS, has intrigued many. It will require gamers to go out and find wild Pokemon in the community. The video released last year makes one wonder how it would be like when played in the real world.
During the announcement of "Pokémon GO" in September 2015, Hanke said, "For the first time, with this game, Pokémon are going to roam free in the real world. Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks, and the countryside in places all around the world. Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, or a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station, or even Pikachu, hiding by the Eiffel Tower. I personally love to explore new places and I can't wait to play this game."
Adding to the curiosity is the Pokémon GO Plus, the companion wearable device for "Pokémon GO." Expected to be released at the same time as the game, this little gadget connects to the gamer's mobile phone via Bluetooth and, among other things, alerts the player if a Pokémon is close by.
