It’s happening! This is not a drill!
There has been a slew of speculation surrounding Pokemon GO. It’s been a lot of will-they/won’t-they in the face of nervous excitement. Pokemon GO is dream that sounds almost too good to be true. The possibility of battling anyone, anywhere, anytime; turning any fan from a dreamer to an actual Pokemon Trainer. Our childhood dreams are on the verge of reality.
Starting this month, fans who sign up in Japan can begin offcial field tests of the highly anticipated app. The announcement came via both the Pokemon GO website and the Niantic blog. Currently for Japanese fans only, the team expressed the possibility for “field tests,” what they are calling their closed beta, to be expanded elsewhere:
The Pokémon GO field test program will give users the opportunity to share early feedback and help improve the Pokémon GO experience. Please stay tuned for information about expansion of the field test to other markets.
Instructions for testing the app Pokemon GO is only available for users with iOS or Android–almost the only two viable options these days, really–and must have a Google account to register. Players will receive a Bluetooth device they can wear, either via a lanyard or clip on.
Pokemon GO is heading on market alongside Nintendo’s other app, the Miitomo. The augmented inspired Pokemon app should come out next year, and be free for download with various in app purchases, and will be developed alongside Game Freak and the Pokemon Company.
Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for a beta in other regions–and emotionally prepare ourselves for the grueling process of everyone clamoring to sign up all at once!