What can we expect from Nintendo's augmented reality Pokemon game?
Little has been said about Pokemon Go, the often leaked, often discussed, but rarely announced or officially talked about AR title. We know it will allow users to walk around and capture Pokemon in the "real world," but what else can we expect to be able to do?
Well fortunately now we know for sure, as The Pokemon Company has released a statement about what's going on in the game and what players can get up to (via UploadVR).
For starters, Pokemon captures will take place in the real world using your phone, like we expected. Players will need to travel to specific locations to capture rare or legendary Pokemon and will only find them in the right corresponding environment. Don't expect a Gyrados to show up in your back garden, unless you have a very big water feature.
Players will catch Pokemon by throwing balls on their phone screens, but they'll need to be purchased - again at real world locations like landmarks and monuments around towns.
As you play more, capture Pokemon and battle them, trainer levels will increase, letting you catch more powerful Pokemon and use better items to augment them. You can then evolve certain species, breed eggs for new species and unlock achievements for raising and brawling.
All players can join one of three major teams, with augmented reality Gyms controlled by the separate players and their teams. Thereby if you go to a certain spot and see a gym controlled by another team, you and your friends can battle through them to gain control of that area.
Pokemon Go is expected to hit Android and iOS stores later this year.