During a live streaming event at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Nintendo today hinted at an official launch timeframe for Pokémon GO, a highly anticipated augmented reality game that will allow users to catch Pokémon in the world around them.
In a call between Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Niantic Labs, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto showed off the Pokémon GO Plus device, which is a Bluetooth wearable accessory that will allow players to get alerts for nearby Pokémon without the need to keep a close eye on their iPhones.
During the presentation, Miyamoto mentioned that the GO Plus device will ship by the end of July, and because the accessory is dependent on the game, Pokémon GO will also need to launch during that same timeframe. As TechCrunch points out, this isn't concrete launch information, but it does narrow down the potential launch window.
The Pokémon GO Plus, which Nintendo will sell for $35, will flash green when a Pokémon is nearby, and it's also able to throw Poké Balls to catch Pokémon that can be transferred to an iPhone.
Pokémon GO is currently being tested in several countries around the world, and many details have leaked out about the game. When walking around, users will come across Pokémon hidden in the wild and will receive a notification whenever a Pokémon is discovered.
Using an iPhone, players will aim a Poké Ball at a Pokémon to capture it. Poké Balls, Pokémon Eggs, and other accessories will be obtainable at "PokéStops," which are located in places like public art installations, historical markers, and monuments.
Players will level up their trainers by capturing Pokémon and there will be Gyms located around the world where battles between Pokémon can take place. As in all Pokémon games, there are hundreds of Pokémon to discover through exploring and evolution.
Today's event revealed a few previously unknown details, including news that Pokémon trading won't be available at launch but could be added to the game at a later time.
Top Rated Comments
Definitely a step in the right direction for Nintendo...
Although I bring my 3DS everywhere, I always have my smartphone too so it's good for Nintendo to keep me and others engaged this way.