Back in March, The Pokémon Company gave fans more information about Niantic’s upcoming mobile game, Pokémon GO, which was originally announced back in September. The app, which uses GPS and AR technology, is designed to take Pokémon Masters across the globe, out into the real world to capture pocket monsters. Now that the beta is open, the folks behind the title have updated the official website with more information.
For starters, the way Gym Battles will work has been further explained. According to the site, you’ll be able to alternate between your Pokémon’s two attacks while battling your opponents. The section notes:
Use your Pokémon’s two attacks to battle the defending Pokémon. You can also dodge the defending Pokémon’s attacks by swiping left and right. If your Pokémon wins the battle, then the Gym’s Prestige is reduced. When the Gym’s Prestige is reduced to zero, the defending team loses control of the Gym, and you or another player can then take control of it by assigning a Pokémon to it. Once your team has control of the Gym, you can increase its Prestige (and level) by training your Pokémon with the defending Pokémon. As the Gym gets to a higher level, your team has the ability to assign more Pokémon to defend it. You can also team up with your friends and battle at a rival Gym together to take down stronger Gyms faster.
It will also be possible to customize your trainer. You’ll be able to choose apparel, accessories and more. Additionally, it was revealed that there will be over 100 different Pokémon to catch as you explore your surroundings.
Another section confirms that it will indeed be free-to-play, supporting micro transactions via the in-game currency.
For players who want to enhance their Pokémon GO experience even more, certain items and features can be accessed via in-app purchases. Players can spend real money on PokéCoins, the in-game currency of Pokémon GO. PokéCoins can then be exchanged for power-ups, extra items, and other enhancements.
Not much else is known about the ambitious app at the moment; we should learn more once we get our hands on it. Are you excited for Pokémon GO? Will you be checking it out? Let us know in the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or reach out to me on Twitter: @Samantha_Sofka!
Images: The Pokémon Company
