With Pokémon GO set to release in 2016, as reported by HNGN, the Pokémon Team and Niantic are set to bring the series' world into the realm of augmented reality (AR), according to Redbull. However, Nintendo has been quiet on how the gameplay will look and how this AR will be implemented. Niantic's previous AR game, Ingress, is still going strong and could give us some insight into how Pokémon GO will achieve this.
"For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the real world," said John Hanke, founder of Niantic. "Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world. Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station or a Pikachu beneath the Eiffel Tower."
Ingress hosts real-world events that center on the game's story, with each one taking place in various places around the world including London, Seoul and Sydney. These events attract hundreds of players and similar events would work perfectly in the Pokémon GO world in the form of tournaments or hunting events.
Ingress also possesses a continuous story that has been evolving since its release in 2012, one that utilizes various mediums including videos and images. By taking avantage of Facebook, tweets and videos, Pokémon GO could take advantage of the same form of continuous storytelling.
Pokémon GO will be released for free in 2016 on the Google Play Store and App Store, according to PC Advisor. There will also be additional content available for purchase, although it's not clear how these purchases will affect gameplay, according to Entertainment Weekly.
