While a specific release date has not been set yet, it seems that it's all systems go for Nintendo and Niantic's augmented reality game "Pokémon GO." Recently, the publisher and the developer revealed some general details on the upcoming game
According to Engadget, augmented reality will work with the game by having the "Pokémon GO" app set permissions. When a Pokémon is sensed nearby, the app will make the mobile device vibrate (much like how some notifications on other apps work). Opening the app and tapping the screen will throw a Pokéball, and a successful capture in the wild will depend on the Pokéball's level and how good the throw is. The item store is also set in a connected real/augmented reality world, and the industry follower quoted the developer as stating that these PokéStops will be based on interesting places such as museums and monuments.
Meanwhile, as what Niantic Labs' John Hanke already revealed in a previous talk, the Pokémon that trainers can capture will depend on the location. Water-type Pokémon can be spotted and captured in water areas like rivers, lakes and oceans. For grass-type Pokémon, open spaces and prairies may yield some interesting ones.
The new reveal added that catching the same type of Pokémon will also work in the trainer's favor as there will be good chances that the Pokémon will evolve. In addition, repeated captures also add to experience points, so that trainers can also level up.
"Pokémon GO" will also have multiplayer Gym-style battles like in the anime adaptation via an accessory called the "Pokémon GO Plus."
The augmented reality title is expected to arrive later this year. Meanwhile, Japanese fans have already experienced their first peek at the game as a field test beta was started by Niantic and Nintendo earlier in the month. It seems unclear if the beta version will have a global release prior to the roll-out of the full version.
