Pokemon Go Release Date and Rumors: Game Slated to Increase Exercise Rates Among Kids

Pokemon GO has captured the imagination of gamers and set off discussions about how it could be life-changing.

A data analyst and an Ingress gamer writing for Slate, reported trekking and hiking several miles to visit portals that the game features in locations across the world, while playing Ingress. If the Pokemon GO teaser is any indication, it requires gamers to capture Pokemon in the wild and compete against other players. This may push kids out of homes to parks and to go on hikes, getting more exercise while playing the game.

"This will be one of the greatest motivators for me to actually exercise. It might actually change my entire life. Playing one of my favorite video games while exercising? Yes please," one Reddit user wrote in a discussion.

The game may however also raise parental concerns of young children playing in a world with older adult players. Concerns about privacy could also come to fore. A Niantic representative refused to comment on such concerns when asked by Slate but said more information about the game could be shared later this month.

Pokemon GO was announced in September. The game was developed by Niantic Labs, which lso made Ingress. The teaser video shows players can find Pokemon in the real world, trade and also team up. The game is set for release in 2016.