Pokemon GO News Update: Fans Speculate Start Of US Beta Field Testing

Pokemon fans in US can rejoice. For Pokemon GO field tests in the country are set to begin soon.

Niantic, the game's maker, announced that users of Android or iPhone can signup for testing the game. While recommending selected testers keep game-related information confidential, Niantic encouraged prospective users to lookup videos of leaked gameplay to understand the game. Niantic had commenced field tests in Japan and in Australia, which gave fans first glimpses of the game.

Pokemon GO is an augmented reality game that requires gamers to hunt at real-world locations and find Pokemon to either catch, fight or trade them. The game was announced last September. Its final version is expected to release this summer. Niantic also announced a wearable device Pokemon GO Plus that would help users with in-game notifications.

Announcement of field tests in the US sent a wave of excitement, motivating eager gamers to speculate about the beta's launch.

"Emails probably won't go out until the evening in the US (based on past betas) and that could be set up to run automatically... I doubt many people will actually start playing until the Tuesday, so they wouldn't really need anyone to be working on the Monday," one Reddit user wrote.

News of US field testing also left many in Europe disappointed.

"They haven't announced a European field test (beta) yet. Japan and Australia already have one going on, and it's expanding to the US later this month. Europe might get a field test later, or possibly even not at all," wrote another Reddit user. On a positive note the user adds, "When the game actually releases, it will definitely come out in at least some countries in Europe. It doesn't really matter whether we get to field test it or not, since all progress will be wiped between the testing and the actual release."