Developed by Niantic, "Pokémon GO" is an augmented reality game for mobile phones for iOS and Android devices. (Photo : YouTube/The Official Pokémon Channel)
The first look of Niantic's much awaited game for android and iOS players "Pokemon Go" is reportedly out. The footage gives a glimpse at the gameplay of the app that is expected to be released in the year 2016. Read on for details.
According to Touch Arcade, the YouTube user Eric F's video giving the first look at Pokemon Go is from the recent SXSW Gaming held on March 19, Saturday. Here, the Niantic CEO John Hanke's talked about the upcoming game. The brief footage of a demo teases what to expect from the gameplay. The video has created quite a stir among the Pokemon fans and media outlets after garnering more than 800,000 views within two days after it was released. Scroll down to watch the video.
While Hanke cannot be seen in the video, it is assumed it is his voice narrating the demo. One can see the player trying to catch an Ivysaur. According to Comicbook.com, Ivysaur is show in the "real world" just outside Niantic's headquarters in San Francisco.
Pokemon Go is said to be an augmented-reality game that allows the players to capture, battle and train pokemon in the real world. Players will also be able to trade Pokemon and create a collection.
The game can be played with a device called Pokemon Go Plus that will be released along with the game. It is said to be a wristband-like device that can be used to perform in-game actions. It uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone. The Pokemon Go Plus is developed by the video game giant Nintendo.
As noted by the abovementioned website, the Pokemon Go footage also gives a glimpse at "level up" feature and XP earning system.
Niantic is close to completing the game and beginning the field tests. In its recent blogpost, Niantic made the big announcement and invited players to take part in Pokemon Go field test to be held in Japan later this month.
"The Pokémon Company and Niantic will be inviting users to field-test Pokémon Go in Japan later this month. The Pokémon Go field-test program will give users the opportunity to share early feedback and help improve the Pokémon Go experience. Please stay tuned for information about expansion of the field test to other markets," the company announced in a statement on its blogpost.
Unfortunately, the official release date of Pokemon Go is yet to be announced. However, it will be the part of the 20th-anniversary celebration, expected to be released with Pokemon Sun and Moon in early 2016.
