Pokemon GO Starts Beta Testing in the United States
Egg hatching time
The development team behind the game, Niantic Labs, announced today that beta testing is underway with selected players in the United States. It’s already being tested in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the announcement blog post, Niantic also discussed some new gameplay features. Along with being able to help Pokemon evolve, trainers can now find and collect eggs in addition to full-grown creatures. You’ll have to walk a preset distance to hatch the egg.
Trainers will now also encounter gyms at real-world spots. Here’s more about that feature from the developer:
Pokémon Gyms are special locations where Trainers can test their Pokémon in battles as they compete to win control of the Gym for one of three Pokémon Trainer teams. Empty Gyms are claimed by a team when a Trainer places a Pokémon there to claim it. Friendly Gyms grow in prestige when their defending Pokémon are trained in battles. Higher level Gyms have room for more Trainers to deploy Pokémon to defend them. Rival Gyms can be challenged by Trainers who can use their Pokémon to attack the defending Pokémon. Groups of players can work together to challenge rival Gyms.
A special wearable device
The game will land sometime this year.
Interestingly, players can even enjoy the game with an optional wearable device named the Pokemon Go Plus.
It will connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth and notify gamers about events in the game, like a nearby Pokemon appearance, by vibrating and flashing an LED.
You’ll also be able to catch Pokemon or perform other action by pressing the button on the device.
When it arrives, sometime this year, the Pokemon Go will be free with a number of in-app purchases available. We’ll let you know if we hear any more information about the augmented reality game.
