Pokmon Go

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Pokmon Go

Developer(s)

Niantic

Publisher(s)

Niantic

Artist(s)

Dennis Hwang

Composer(s)

Junichi Masuda

Series

Pokmon

Engine

Unity

Platform(s)

iOS, Android, Apple Watch

Release date(s)

July 6, 2016[show]

Genre(s)

Augmented reality,locationbased game

Pokmon Go (stylized as Pokmon GO) is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality

game developed byNiantic for iOS, Android, and Apple Watch devices. It was initially released in
selected countries in July 2016. In the game, players use a mobile device's GPS capability to locate,
capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, calledPokmon, who appear on the screen as if they were
in the same real-world location as the player. The game supportsin-app purchases for additional ingame items.
Pokmon Go was released to mixed reviews, with critics praising the game's concept and the
incentive to be more active in the real world, while criticizing frequent technical issues apparent at

launch. Despite such reviews, it quickly became a global phenomenon and was one of the most
used and profitable mobile apps in 2016, having been downloaded more than 500 million times
worldwide. It was credited with popularizing location-based and augmented reality gaming,
promoting physical activity, along with helping local businesses grow. However, it attracted
controversy for contributing to accidents and becoming a public nuisance at some locations. Various
governments expressed concerns over the security of the game, with some countries
passing legislation regarding it.
Contents
[hide]

1Gameplay
2Development
o 2.1Pokmon Go Plus
3Release
o 3.1Regional availability
o 3.2Commercial response
3.2.1Nintendo
3.2.2Other companies
o 3.3Technical issues
4Reception
o 4.1Critical response
o 4.2Downloads and revenue
o 4.3Community and cultural impact
o 4.4Criticism and incidents
o 4.5Third-party apps and websites
5Notes
6References
7External links

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshots of Pokmon Go

Players must physically travel to explore the game's map and visit PokStops (the smaller circular (purple,
visited) or cube (blue) icons, depending on proximity) and gyms (the one large tower shown).

Encountering a Doduo while in the augmented realitymode; the Pok Ball must be "thrown" to capture it by
tapping on the ball and flicking it up towards the Pokmon.

After establishing a game account, the player creates an avatar by selecting a hair, skin, and eye
color; style; and outfit.[1][2] Once created, the avatar is displayed on a map using the player's current
geographical location. Features on the map include PokStops and Pokmon gyms. PokStops
provide players with items, such as eggs, Pok Balls, berries, and potions. These PokStops can be
equipped with items called lure modules, which attract additional wild, and sometimes rare,
Pokmon.[3][4] Gyms serve as battle locations for team-based king of the hill matches.[5] PokStops
and gyms are typically located at places of interest.[6] These locations are re-purposed portals
from Ingress, Niantic's previousaugmented reality game.[7]
As players move within their real world surroundings, their avatar moves within the game's map.
DifferentPokmon species reside in different areas of the world; for example, water-type Pokmon
are generally found near water.[8] When a player encounters a Pokmon, they may view it either in
augmented reality (AR) mode or with a live rendered, generic background.[9] AR mode uses
the camera and gyroscope on the player's mobile device to display an image of a Pokmon as
though it were in the real world.[10]Players can take screenshots of the Pokmon they encounter
either with or without the AR mode activated.[11]
Unlike other installments in the Pokmon series, players in Pokmon Go do not battle wild Pokmon
tocapture them. During an encounter with a wild Pokmon, the player may throw a Pok Ball at it by
flicking it from the bottom of the screen up toward the Pokmon. If the Pokmon is successfully
caught, it will come under the ownership of the player. Factors in the success rate of capture include
the right force, the right time and the type of Pok Ball used. After capturing a wild Pokmon, the
player is awarded two types of in-game currencies: candies and stardust. The candies awarded by a
successful catch depend on what evolutionary chain a Pokmon belongs to. A player can use
stardust and candies to raise a Pokmon's "combat power" (CP). However, only candies are needed
to evolve a Pokmon. Each Pokmon evolution tree has its own type of candy, which can only be
used to evolve or level up. The player can also transfer the Pokmon back to the Pokmon
professor to earn one more candy and create room for more Pokmon.[12] The ultimate goal of the
game is to complete the entries in the Pokdex, a comprehensive Pokmon encyclopedia, by
capturing and evolving to obtain the original 151 Pokmon.[note 2][13]
Although the game is free to play, it supports in-app purchases, where players can purchase add