A Few Things First to Know
Often one must look back at history and learn of the many humans that collaborated together to bring something successful into being-Shawn
Niantic
Niantic, Inc. (/naɪˈæntɪk/ ny-AN-tik) is an American software development company based in San Francisco. Niantic is best known for developing the augmented reality mobile games Ingress and Pokémon Go. The company was formed as Niantic Labs in 2010 as an internal startup within Google. The company became an independent entity in October 2015 when Google restructured under Alphabet Inc. Niantic has additional offices in Bellevue and Los Angeles.
Pokémon
Pokémon (an abbreviation for Pocket Monsters in Japanese) is a Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. The franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996, and is centered around fictional creatures called “Pokémon“. In Pokémon, Pokémon Trainers are people who catch, train, care for, and battle with Pokémon. The English slogan for the franchise is “Gotta Catch ‘Em All!”. There are currently 1015 Pokémon species.
Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes and releases both video games and video game consoles.
Nintendo was founded in 1889 as Nintendo Karuta by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produced and made hanafuda playing cards. After venturing into various lines of business during the 1960s and acquiring a legal status as a public company, Nintendo distributed its first console, the Color TV-Game, in 1977. It gained international recognition with the release of Donkey Kong in 1981 and the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros. in 1985.
Pokémon GO
Pokémon Go (stylized as Pokémon GO) is a 2016 augmented reality (AR) mobile game, part of the Pokémon franchise, developed and published by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for iOS and Android devices. It uses mobile devices with GPS to locate, capture, train, and battle virtual creatures, called Pokémon, which appear as if they are in the player’s real-world location. The game is free-to-play; it uses a freemium business model combined with local advertising and supports in-app purchases for additional in-game items. The game launched with around 150 species of Pokémon, which had increased to around 700 by 2021.
Pokémon Go was released to mixed reviews; critics praised the concept but criticized technical problems. It was one of the most used and profitable mobile apps in 2016, having been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide by the end of the year. It is credited with popularizing location-based and AR technology, promoting physical activity, and helping local businesses grow due to escalated foot traffic. However, it attracted controversy for contributing to accidents and creating public nuisances. Various governments expressed concerns about security, and some countries regulate its use. The game had over 147 million monthly active users by May 2018, over a billion global downloads by early 2019, and grossed more than $6 billion in revenue by 2020.
ChatGPT 4 Explains Pokemon GO
“Pokémon Go is a mobile augmented reality (AR) game developed by Niantic in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. It was released on July 6, 2016, and quickly became a global phenomenon, attracting millions of players worldwide. The game is available on both iOS and Android devices.
The concept of Pokémon Go is based on the popular Pokémon franchise, which was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori in 1996. The franchise revolves around fictional creatures called Pokémon, which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. Pokémon has since expanded into various media formats, including video games, trading card games, an animated television series, movies, and merchandise.
In Pokémon Go, players assume the role of Pokémon Trainers and embark on a real-world adventure to capture Pokémon creatures. The game utilizes GPS and AR technologies to create an immersive experience where players can find, capture, and battle Pokémon in real-world locations. Players explore their surroundings and encounter Pokémon in parks, landmarks, and other notable places.
The game encourages players to get outside, explore their communities, and interact with other players. Pokémon Go also introduced the concept of PokéStops, which are real-world locations where players can obtain in-game items such as Poké Balls, potions, and eggs. Additionally, there are Gyms, where players can battle and train their Pokémon to claim control of these locations for their respective teams.
One of the defining features of Pokémon Go is its use of augmented reality. The game utilizes the smartphone’s camera to overlay Pokémon onto the real-world environment, allowing players to see and interact with the creatures as if they were actually present. This unique blend of real-world exploration, social interaction, and augmented reality created a massive craze when the game was initially released.
Since its launch, Pokémon Go has seen several updates and additions, including the introduction of new Pokémon from different generations, raid battles, player-versus-player battles, and various events tied to holidays or special occasions. The game continues to enjoy a dedicated player base and remains one of the most successful and influential AR games to date.”
Resources
Pokémon’s Strengths & Weaknesses By Type
Misc Pictures
New Pikachu Jet
“All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s airline, recently debuted its Pikachu Jet NH, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner adorned with a Pokémon-themed livery designed by The Pokémon Company.
The new aircraft started operations on June 4, with its inaugural flight from Tokyo Haneda International Airport to Bangkok. By introducing the Pikachu Jet, ANA has joined The Pokémon Company’s initiative, Pokémon Air Adventures, which aids airlines in equipping their own Pikachu Jets.
Other airlines including T’way Air, Scoot, and China Airlines, have each rolled out their own versions of Pokémon-themed jets.
ANA’s Pikachu Jet is currently scheduled to be in operation until October 28, offering flights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to several international destinations, including Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh, Delhi, Sydney, Vancouver, and Honolulu.” – https://www.airlinerwatch.com/2023/06/pictures-all-nippon-airways-unveils.html
Some PokéStops Around Our City
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