A tri-force of video-game heavyweights will collaborate to deliver next year's augmented reality Pokemon GO. Not only a major departure in terms of game-play, we here see how
Previous Pokémon games may have used real world locations as inspiration for its worlds, but this is the first game to center game-play in a physical space.
The augmented reality aspect of the experience comes from Niantic, famous for its augmented global video-game Ingress. “Pokémon GO is a wonderful combination of Niantic’s real world gaming platform and one of the most beloved franchises in popular culture,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, Inc.
Played on a smartphone with an optional wearable Pokeball, players are alerted to virtual Pokemon near them in their location. This leads to four distinct phases of play seen in the trailer. Players collect Pokémon in the world about them, trade collected Pokemon with friends directly on smartphones, battle other Pokémon and finally attend timed public battles in specific locations.
It's revolutionary stuff in terms of game-play but also hints of a future where we will see Nintendo appearing on mobile as well as their first party hardware. Here it was responsible for the wearable Pokémon Go Plus hardware. The gadget uses vibration and illumination alerts to inform the player of nearby Pokemon. Pressing a built in button enables a quick response without getting out a smartphone.
While this is undoubtedly a substantial new project for Pokemon, it will be key that it relates to the existing franchise strongly both in terms of characters and game-play. Although not mentioned at this stage, interoperability with either 3DS or Wii U hardware would be a welcome addition.
Also, it seems there is an opportunity for Nintendo to extend its amiibo support to smartphones. The Pokemon Go Plus device could include NFC technology to read and write amiibo information. This could then leverage the existing range of Pokemon amiibo as well as open the door to new characters.
The game will be free and will have in-app purchases. How this model works will again be telling of how Nintendo sees the financial side of bringing games to mobile.
Overall it seems like a bold new move. Certainly the three companies involved bring a lot of experience to the table. How this fits into Nintendo's broader plans only time will tell.
With Pokémon Go touted for launch in 2016 we should learn more in the coming months.
