NINTENDO is teaming up with the US developer behind hit game Pokémon Go to create a suite of new mobiles games.
The two companies announced yesterday that they were developing augmented reality games centred on classic Nintendo characters.
2
The first to roll out will feature the colourful half-animal, half-vegetable Pikmin characters in a game due for launch later this year.
The game will allow players to “experience the world as if Pikmin are secretly living all around us”, Nintendo said in a statement.
Augmented reality (AR) technology superimposes scenery and characters onto your real-world view as seen through your smartphone camera.
The technology was key to the success of Pokémon Go, which offered players the chance to see Pokémon populate their neighbourhoods.
2
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto , who created Pikmin as well famed Nintendo characters Donkey Kong and Mario, said the app would “make walking fun”.
Nintendo has traditionally shied away from mobile games, preferring instead to keep its popular characters on console platforms.
However, in recent years it has relaxed this rule with the release of games like Mario Kart Tour and Super Mario Run.
Niantic boss John Hanke said: “As we continue to expand our games portfolio, it was a natural next step to team up with Nintendo.
“We’re looking forward to shaping the future of AR together.”
Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality – what’s the difference?
Here’s what you need to know…
- Virtual reality involves using a headset to simulate a virtual world
- In a VR world, everything you see will be computer-generated
- Popular VR headsets include the HTC Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift
- Augmented reality lets you see the real world, but “augments” (or adds on) computer-generated elements
- This means you’ll be able to see computer images overlaid onto your real-world view
- For instance, you could wear glasses that overlay directions onto the road in front of you
- Popular AR headsets include Microsoft’s HoloLens and the Google Glass spectacles
There’s no word yet on which other Nintendo characters could get the AR treatment in future.
Pokémon Go has proved hugely successful, garnering more than a billion downloads since its launch in 2016.
The mobile game has made more than $4billion worldwide, according to tracker Sensor Tower.
Niantic also makes several other popular games, including Ingress and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
The company is also working on a pair of augmented reality smart glasses.
Nintendo Switch’s Animal Crossing is being turned into a HORROR movie
GAME ON
GAME has PS5s in stock NOW hours after Argos restock… here’s how to get yours
BOX CLEVER
Genius PS5 trick lets you mute entire system with secret button press on joypad
WIN-TENDO!
Nintendo Switch 2 ‘will be FIRST to play games in 4K’
X MARKS THE SPOT
Xbox getting huge update that makes it look incredible – are you eligible?
DUTY CALLS
Huge Call of Duty Season 2 update incoming – new guns, maps and start time
END OF THE LINE
Call of Duty deletes 30,000 players in shock ban – and says MORE are coming
In other news, The Sun’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
Check out the wildly impressive Panasonic 65HZ1000 TV, which makes most tellies look rubbish.
And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
Are you excited for Nintendo’s new titles? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
