The day has finally come where we can catch Pokemon in the real world. Well not literally catch them for real but with the use of augmented reality, we can experience part of it using our smartphone. The idea is to go out, get some fresh air, and catch some Pokemon.
The Pokemon Company announced today via a livestream event that it is working with Nintendo, GAME FREAK, and software development company Niantic to create the Pokémon GO smartphone app. The app will be available in 2016 for Android phones and iPhones. The year 2016 also marks the 20th anniversary of the original Pokémon games.
There is also a watch-like peripheral (mostly worked on by Nintendo) for the game called Pokémon Go Plus that allows you to basic things like throw a Poké Ball. It pairs with your phone and has a rumble and flash feature when you come across or interact with a Pokemon in the real world. The idea is that you can enjoy the world around you, instead of focusing only on your phone. It is said that the app won’t be a standalone title, and that they could also connect it to the other Pokemon games.
My thoughts on this, it surely is interesting. But one thing is for sure, it won’t turn out like the trailer we just saw. You can see how the app actually is on the last 10 seconds of the trailer. I’m sure you can see those Pokemon in the real world with augmented reality, but yeah you gotta see everything on your phone. So it’s not as pleasant or awesome as in the trailer. Nonetheless, i’m definitely excited about it. I’d probably get the peripheral too when it’s available.
