Pokémon GO Release Date and Rumors: Innovative Game Expected to Push Company Forward

The collaboration between Nintendo and Niantic to make Pokémon GO is expected to push the company forward.

"It shows that Nintendo is further opening up and trying to change. Given how slow the company has been moving in recent years, this is quite significant," consultants of the game industry, Kanteen Games, said via Express UK. "Pokemon GO is a strong, 'real' indicator and message, especially because it's the first Nintendo app on smart devices. They are not experimenting. It's not a mini game, a companion app or a demo - but a full, even ambitious mobile title."

Kanteen Games continued, "It is quite interesting to see that Nintendo now uses Pokémon for its first own big game on mobile - especially in the light of how many investors and analysts speculated in the past that Nintendo will keep their top IP in particular on consoles - to avoid cannibalization effects, for example. The move indicates they are not planning to, and it increases the likelihood of more top IPs to follow on mobile - and I am very sure this will be the case in the next months."

Tsunekazu Ishihara, the CEO of the Pokémon Company, which is owned by Nintendo, announced that Pokémon GO, which will be available for devices with iOS and android, about a month ago. The game will give players the real life experience of becoming a Pokémon trainer.

"For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the real world. Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world," John Hanke, founder of the Niantic company, said last month to PC Advisor, "Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station or a Pikachu beneath the Eiffel Tower."

Nintendo developed Pokémon GO Plus, which is a wearable, Bluetooth device that will light up and vibrate whenever there is a Pokémon nearby. Although the app will be free, the device is not. There will also be in-app purchases available.

There is no official release date for Pokémon GO. The rumors are claiming that it will be available for download some time in 2016.