Pokémon GO is revolutionizing the interaction between players and Pokémon to the next level and at the same time merges real-world locations with the game itself, by allowing players to capture and trade Pokémon all over the world.
Pokémon GO is one of the most anticipated mobile game for Android and iPhone that is currently under development by collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Niantic. It was earlier rumored that the game will be released on November 20, but now we are receiving information that the speculation is untrue.
In its latest press release to announce Pokémon GO, Niantic founder and co-developer of the game John Hanke said, "Pokémon are going to roam free in the real world. 'Pokémon GO' will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabits 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."
The Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara also attended the press conference together with Game Freak game director Junichi Masuda and Nintendo senior managing director Shigeru Miyamoto and shared their inputs about the development of the game
Ishihara said, "Many of you already know this, but with the 'Pokémon' games, players can use the Pokémon they caught in the game to trade or battle with their real life friends. He added as he explained the beginning of the game, "But the really exciting part of the game is the real-world social aspect of it. Players meet up in the real world to play together, to go on adventures together and, about once a month, in cities all around the world, they come together for massive events that combine urban exploration, gameplay, and team work in a festival-like atmosphere."
Hanke also added that that through the game, the developers were able to bring together millions of people around the world through their augmented reality game.
For his part, Miyamoto added that the "Pokémon Snap" project which used photos, will actually take players to real-world locations to capture Pokémon. The game will be using actual map data as it encourages players to go out in the real world. Players can now catch, trade and battle with others using real world arenas. The upcoming "Pokémon GO!" release could revolutionize how Pokémon games are played.
"I think it shares the same sense of being in the same space with a Pokémon and staring at it face to face," Ishihara added.
Meanwhile, game consultant Kanteen Games has predicted that the collaboration between Nintendo and Niantic in the development of Pokémon GO is seen to push the company to growth.
Kanteen Games said via Express UK, "It shows that Nintendo is further opening up and trying to change. Given how slow the company has been moving in recent years, this is quite significant. "Pokemon GO is a strong, 'real' indicator and message, especially because it's the first Nintendo app on smart devices. They are not experimenting. It's not a mini game, a companion app or a demo - but a full, even ambitious mobile title."
Kanteen Games added, "It is quite interesting to see that Nintendo now uses Pokémon for its first own big game on mobile - especially in the light of how many investors and analysts speculated in the past that Nintendo will keep their top IP in particular on consoles - to avoid cannibalization effects, for example. The move indicates they are not planning to, and it increases the likelihood of more top IPs to follow on mobile - and I am very sure this will be the case in the next months."
The "Pokémon GO!" release date is projected to be in 2016. There are also speculations that it could happen early next year.
