One of the most exciting announcement for Augmented Reality (AR) in the second half of 2015 came from a rather unexpected source.
It was revealed by The Pokémon Company that Niantic, developers of Ingress and other AR titles, would be helming a new project called Pokémon GO. Coming to both iOS and Android the title would use AR as well as connected Bluetooth device in order to ‘hunt’ for Pocket Monsters in the real world. You could find a Pikachu on your way to work, a Meowth in the local park or maybe find a Poliwhirl has set up home in your shed.
News has been scarce on the project since it was announced in September. Now however, thanks to Youtube channel GAME Previews, we have our first look at the title in action via almost nine minutes of apparently leaked Beta gameplay footage. For those hoping to see action akin to that shown within the initial trailer, you’re unfortunately going to be disappointed. Whilst the footage is indeed Beta, with the user coming across glitches, there is very little in the way of AR. That which does exist is sadly not that impressive looking either. The only real example being 2:20 when the player captures a Porygon they find in the street which is rather anticlimactic and unlikely to be what fans are expecting or hoping to see. It is one of a number of encounters shown, as the player walks around their local area with their position and that of events shown on a satnav style map.
VRFocus will continue to bring you updates relating to Pokémon GO and its development.
