A screenshot of the AR free-to-play title “Pokemon Go.” (Photo : YouTube/ YEYOUNIVERSO JUEGA)
Nintendo recently announced at the E3 2016 that it will release "Pokémon Go," the augmented reality (AR) free-to-play game from Niantic, for iOS and Android in July. However, the company did not offer a precise release date.
In addition, the company will market Pokémon Go Plus, a game accessory, for $34.99 sometime after the launch of the game. The Pokémon Go Plus is basically a Bluetooth-enabled wristband that will vibrate and light up, enabling players to perform in-game actions such as finding and catching nearby Pokémon.
"Pokémon Go" is an ambitious title developed by Niantic, which also created the Android game "Ingress," together with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The upcoming game will incorporate the real-world exploration elements present in "Ingress," but with a Pokémon twist, The Verge reported.
While the basic gameplay of "Pokémon Go" entails looking through a smartphone camera at the digital beings into the environment. "Pokémon Go" will allow players to explore their cities looking for Pokémon, with their smartphones, locate these digital creatures in the wild with augmented reality (AR), The Next Web reported.
Players will also be able to discover gyms to train their monsters as well secure special items such as Pokémon eggs at places of interest such as museums and monuments. These gyms will always be regulated by any of the three groups - the Red, Yellow or Blue team.
Also, players can take control over these gyms by combating their individual Pokémon and joining hands with other creatures in the real world, thereby increasing their chances of victory. In addition, the game will also offer "candy" rewards that can be used by players to evolve Pokémon.
During the past few months, The Pokémon Company has been experimenting "Pokémon Go" with players in Japan and the US. Now, at the E3 gaming expo, publisher Nintendo announced that the game will be released on Android and iOS sometime in July.
Nintendo was developing features to allow trading monsters in the game, but this feature will not be available at launch. However, eventually there will be some sort of integration between the mobile title and "Pokémon Sun" and "Pokémon Moon," the two upcoming games for the Nintendo 3DS portable console.
Watch the "Pokémon Go" live stream below:
