Nintendo's Pokemon GO is a much-anticipated mobile game whose developer has just released details and screenshots. This is the first official news from the gaming giant and developer Niantic since the game was announced last year. In a blog post Niantic shared some details about the new mobile game that has an interface like Google Maps and Streetview.
Pokemon Go is a location-based mobile game based on the franchise that earns $1.5 billion per year. Meanwhile, last year the mobile business had a value of $34.8 billion, according to VentureBeat.
Gamers must explore the environment around them. After their smartphones vibrate to alert them that a Pokemon is near they can use a Poke Ball to catch the pocket monsters.
The game's screenshots reveal an interface that allows gamers to zoom in and out to get a better look at what is around them.
Niantic also explained in the post that wild Pokemon only show up in their native environments. For example, water Pokemon would only appear close to bodies of water, and grass types would show up near wooded areas, according to GameReactor.
Mobile gamers can catch more powerful Pokemon when their Trainer level increases. Catching multiple Pokemon of the same type also gives the ability to evolve the creature.
Gamers can also get hatched Eggs that show new Pokemon. These items and others such as Poke Balls can be purchased at "PokeStops" found in landmarks such as monuments and museums.
Pokemon GO players can also battle other players. Trainers can join one of three teams to compete for the ownerships of Gyms that are set up in locations like PokeStops.
Nintendo's Pokemon GO mobile game is likely to launch during this year.
In related news pranksters recently "leaked" fake photos of NX controllers by using Photoshop and 3D printing. The first phony photos showed up on Reddit and seemed to reveal a NX controller that matched up with a Nintendo patent filing.
Clearer photos from a second Reddit user showed up a couple days later. However, the two pranksters later admitted the leaked images were fake, and they had worked independently to trick Nintendo fans.