Nintendo, the largest Japanese video game company, had teamed up with Niantic Inc. to develop Pokémon Go, a mobile game based on the popular monsters from the Japanese cartoon series.
The Pokémon Company, an affiliate of Nintendo, and Niantic Inc. came up with the new location-based mobile game, Pokémon Go. The project will be free to download on iOS and Android in 2016.
Aside from the TV show, Pokémon is also known for its video games. Nintendo elaborated that the fans could expect a new gaming experience with Pokémon Go. It will be accessible in the real world using your smartphone's location. Gamespot cited that players could catch, trade and battle with their friends while hunting for Pokémon around their place.
Players could capture pocket monsters on parks, countryside, sidewalks and shopping areas around the world. John Hanke, Niantic founder, said in The Pokémon Company press event in Japan, "Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station or a Pikachu beneath the Eiffel Tower. I personally love to explore new places and I can't wait to play this game."
Though Pokémon could be played on mobile phones, according to a news from PC Mag, the game comes with a wearable device; the Nintendo Go Plus. It could be strapped on the wrist and connects via Bluetooth. Go Plus would notify players if there's a Pokémon nearby your place.
The wristband gaming device was made possible by Game Freak Inc., the video game company which officially creates games for Nintendo.
Pokémon first aired in Japan in 1996. It is published by Nintendo and is currently the most popular monster-based franchise media among children around the world. The Pokémon Company International handles its properties outside Japan. That includes branding, marketing, licensing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the TV series and the official site.
It has been a challenge to develop games for mobile devices nowadays. But The Pokémon Company and Nintendo aim to bring back the Pokémon fad and its core values to the gamers globally.
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