So, if you watched the presentation on Niconico today, you’ll know that they announced an upcoming Pokemon game (dedicated to Mr. Iwata T~T <3) that has been in progress for over 2 years called Pokemon GO. It is a mobile game (and thankfully, it looks like it will be out for both Android and iPhone at the same time) and seems like it'll use AR and essentially let you catch Pokemon in the real world.
The trailer reminded me a lot of the advertisement for when Google did their April Fools thing with catching Pokemon, except the fact that AR Pokemon really will be a part of this game. I wonder if that event really a test if anything. It does seem everyone who participates in getting a legendary gets it (and they are timed for how long they show up) as well which is nice.
I do wonder how trading heavy it may be though–like if Pokemon will actually be region based. Will you be able to get items like Mega Stones? Will AR properly work? I find myself with a lot of questions, but considering it’s not out until 2016, I’m sure there will be plenty of time to see more and have more answered.
While I’d still prefer anything but a mobile game (still hoping for a Pokemon Snap with all Pokemon or a Pokemon MMO one day), I do think this looks really cool and I had a lot of fun with the Google Maps thing so I am excited regardless. They said that it would be a lot like “Ingress” which was a Augmented Reality MMO, but made for Pokemon. Like a real life Pokemon journey. You’ll use your phone to see the Pokemon, of course.
I just hope I can catch all the Pokemon without necessarily trading. I feel like they will be making things very region-based and I’m hoping that won’t actually be the case as traveling isn’t that cheap. Regardless, I can’t wait to see the game out and I’m looking forward to it so much.
It really seems like they are putting a lot of effort into it. One of the things they showed at one point during the trailer was a upside down teardrop-shaped Pokeball which is apparently called the “Pokemon GO Plus”–it is a way to alert/notify you when something is happening in the game. You can use it to throw Pokeballs as well by hitting the button in the center.
It is an optional addition, but I actually think it’s really cool and definitely want to get it. You can even wear it as a clip-on or wristband accessory.
This could be an actual reality in a way:
(Above figure commissioned by me from Viistar)
I could be dressed like a Pokemon trainer (ignoring that I can’t sew. ONE DAY) and have a Mega Audino and be a real Pokemon Master :P
I wonder if you can earn actual badges too? That’d be so cool. I’d love to see them continue adding things to it. Maybe a PC Pokemon Ranch where you can see all the Pokemon from your phone interacting and doing things. I feel there’s so much they could really add to it and just thinking of all these possibilities just makes me even more excited. I mean, just think of actually catching shinies in real life. Going out with a group of friends and also looking for Pokemon. And more and more scenarios! I can tell this will easily be one of my top games of 2016 already. I just hope I can get all 721 Pokemon (and future new Pokemon) regardless :D (please no box limits).
That said, I am surprised the game will be going to the freemium route. If it really does, I hope it’s more like Pokemon Rumble World versus Pokemon Shuffle. I’d definitely prefer just buying the game though.
Also going to be crossing my fingers for custom trainers considering these were shown in the trailer:
I know the game itself won’t be like that (afterall, you see the Pokemon threw your phone), but the idea that you can have cute custom trainer icons (or maybe even a full 3D model in the actual game, who knows) has me pretty excited too.