Nintendo’s recent mobile initiative has a rather large question mark at the center of it. Pokémon Go was interesting, although far from the strangest Pokémon game we’ve seen recently, but it wasn’t entirely clear how it was going to work. Fortunately, we now have a few answers; and it might be the first video game that expects us to go outside.
Niantic Labs, the developer, has a post that touches on how the game will work. The most interesting touch is how tightly integrated with actual reality the game is supposed to be. For example, to collect items like eggs that might hatch into new Pokémon, you’ll have to go to special “stops” located at points of interest wherever you happen to be, like museums, public art, and other locations one hopes Niantic will brace for a sudden flood of preteens and grown nerds wandering around.
In other words, all those things in your town you never do until somebody visits you will now be your go-to on a regular basis. The game also wants you to walk more, as that’s the only way to hatch your eggs. And if you want to fight Pokémon, you’ll have to track down a Gym, all of which will also have designated spots in the real world. Similarly, to find certain types of Pokémon, you’ll need to go to certain types of areas, which makes it all but inevitable somebody’s going to fly to Hawaii just to get close enough to a volcano and find Charmander.
These are all certainly bold ideas for a Pokémon game, and the series could use something different. That said, one does have to ask how people who live well outside of cities or away from certain geographical features are going to play this game. One can just imagine some preteen in Iowa excitedly booting up the game only to discover all the best stuff is in Des Moines. At least they’ll have Pokken Tournament?
(Via Niantic Labs)