Pokemon Go! The Adventure begins in Japan
Niantic Labs have announced the start of field testing for the latest augmented reality venture in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Go!
Beginning last Thursday the official Pokemon Go website invited Japanese players to register for access to the field test later this month. Players accepted to participate in the field test will be required to keep its content confidential as the purpose of the beta is to allow players the chance to help improve on the current build of the game. Announcements will be made in the coming weeks pertaining to field tests in other countries.
Pokémon Go! which was announced last September is a mobile app being developed by Niantic which will be made available worldwide to users via their android and apple devices. The project is aimed toward finally allowing players to go on their own Pokémon adventure by catching and battling Pokémon out in the real world thanks to the use of AR technology.
It’s finally happening. After 20 years we can all finally live in a Pokémon world. According to recent news, players will even be afforded the ability to join teams and battle gyms. We finally get our chance to blast off!
The Game being developed by Niantic Labs goes with the full support of both the Pokémon Company and Google who have collectively contributed US$20 million to the project. There is also rumored to be an additional US$10 million on the line if Niantic Labs are able to meet unspecified performance goals.
With the inclusion of the Pokémon Go Plus wristband, Nintendo hopes to encourage players to do more than just stare at a screen and instead raise awareness of ones surroundings. The 
“Pokémon Go Plus” device will have LED and vibration functionality that will alert players when a Pokémon is nearby or something is about to go down. Using Bluetooth technology the device can link up to players’ smartphones. It also provides the versatility of being a clip instead of a wristband enabling use anywhere you go and at all times. The game can be played without the Go Plus device, but why would anyone want that?
Pokémon Go! Is scheduled to be publicly released later this year for Android and iPhones. This year also happens to mark the 20th anniversary of the original Pokémon games and what better way to celebrate the past than by introducing something so wonderfully new.
Keep an eye on the The Buttonsmashers for the latest Pokémon Go! news as it becomes available.
