I thought we were giving the world what it wanted. But we destroyed it.
December 16, 2015 6:26 PM Subscribe
On September 9th, 2015, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon GO, a multiplayer location-aware mobile game for iOS and Android, due for release in 2016. Their development partner, Niantic, recently revealed details on how the game will work and how it will draw upon their experience with their earlier location aware game, Ingress [Ingress, Previously: 1, 2].
Niantic, a former Google internal startup turned independent company under the Alphabet restructuring, is not Nintendo's only partner in branching out into the mobile gaming market. They've also partnered with DeNA Games, and that partnership's first release, a Mii avatar enabled chat program called Miitomo is due out in March of 2016. However, unlike Pokémon GO, no one has been forecasting for years that a game with Mii avatars would bring about global economic collapse from people trying to catch 'em all.
Niantic, a former Google internal startup turned independent company under the Alphabet restructuring, is not Nintendo's only partner in branching out into the mobile gaming market. They've also partnered with DeNA Games, and that partnership's first release, a Mii avatar enabled chat program called Miitomo is due out in March of 2016. However, unlike Pokémon GO, no one has been forecasting for years that a game with Mii avatars would bring about global economic collapse from people trying to catch 'em all.
Or let late adopters feel like they can contribute.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:42 PM on December 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:42 PM on December 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
Ingress is the worst game. I just deleted it for the sixth time.
posted by Jimbob at 6:43 PM on December 16, 2015 [34 favorites]
posted by Jimbob at 6:43 PM on December 16, 2015 [34 favorites]
God, Ingress. I'm going to have to jailbreak my phone, just to get rid of it.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:58 PM on December 16, 2015
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:58 PM on December 16, 2015
You can play Ingress with a jailbroken phone. Sorry.
posted by neilbert at 7:05 PM on December 16, 2015
posted by neilbert at 7:05 PM on December 16, 2015
I've written about the transition before.
posted by BiggerJ at 7:10 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BiggerJ at 7:10 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Will I be able to trade Pokémons for an ADA Refractor? I really need an ADA Refractor. My nemesis at work flipped my anchor portal that had double AXA shields on it.
posted by Rob Rockets at 7:25 PM on December 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Rob Rockets at 7:25 PM on December 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
Neilbert said: You can play Ingress with a jailbroken phone. Sorry.
But I can't uninstall it, unless I jailbreak the phone. It came preinstalled, and there doesn't seem to be any way to remove it, much like all the other junk and bloatware that gets shoved on phones by the vendor chain.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 7:41 PM on December 16, 2015
But I can't uninstall it, unless I jailbreak the phone. It came preinstalled, and there doesn't seem to be any way to remove it, much like all the other junk and bloatware that gets shoved on phones by the vendor chain.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 7:41 PM on December 16, 2015
Ingress was great as a gamification of exercise. I'd lace up my shoes, look at my phone and plot a path - harvesting some high level portal farms, destroying some weak enemy links to clear some paths then finally set up a large field and fortify some of my local portals. Easily 20km of jogging / running in one go. I'd certainly give the Pokemon version a go.
posted by xdvesper at 7:52 PM on December 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by xdvesper at 7:52 PM on December 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Suddenly I can't stand how blue this page is. Could we take this over to the green like the civilized progressive thinkers that we are?
posted by maryr at 8:01 PM on December 16, 2015 [16 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:01 PM on December 16, 2015 [16 favorites]
PS: Geotagged game with less aggression and cuter avatars/equipment/rewards? Yes please. I loved the silly and pointless Treasure World.
posted by maryr at 8:04 PM on December 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:04 PM on December 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
I knew I liked you, maryr.
posted by Songdog at 8:06 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Songdog at 8:06 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Songdog, I bioengineer things for a living. It'd be hypocritical for me to play anything but Enlightened.
posted by maryr at 8:08 PM on December 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:08 PM on December 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
Praise the Shapers. ENL 4 lyfe
posted by josher71 at 8:16 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by josher71 at 8:16 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
My phone isn't even that old and Ingress barely ran on it. I deleted it just out of frustration at how slowly and badly it behaved. I really have high hopes for Pokemon Go, I can't say how disappointed I'll be if it's like Ingress that way.
posted by gloriouslyincandescent at 8:29 PM on December 16, 2015
posted by gloriouslyincandescent at 8:29 PM on December 16, 2015
I think the genius of the Pokemon license is that it doesn't need to be particularly multiplayer. My tiny inventory and paltry contributions to the world of Ingress really never felt significant, but my collection of Pokemon will be just that – mine.
All the exercise-encouraging geotagging goodness of Ingress with none of the flavorless anonymity? Yes, please.
posted by lumensimus at 8:29 PM on December 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
All the exercise-encouraging geotagging goodness of Ingress with none of the flavorless anonymity? Yes, please.
posted by lumensimus at 8:29 PM on December 16, 2015 [6 favorites]
If I have to travel far to catch a Wooper I'm gonna be bummed.
posted by rifflesby at 8:33 PM on December 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rifflesby at 8:33 PM on December 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Imagine some poor kid who gets dragged on a cruise and all they get for a week are Tentacools.
posted by vogon_poet at 9:11 PM on December 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by vogon_poet at 9:11 PM on December 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
If I have to travel far to catch a Wooper I'm gonna be bummed.
If I can't find a Skitty in Australia I'm joining Team Magma
posted by Quilford at 9:25 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I can't find a Skitty in Australia I'm joining Team Magma
posted by Quilford at 9:25 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
So, Geocachémon?
posted by hot_monster at 9:31 PM on December 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by hot_monster at 9:31 PM on December 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
Imagine some poor kid who gets dragged on a cruise and all they get for a week are Tentacools.
So would you say taking the kid on the cruise was tentacruel?
posted by drezdn at 12:09 AM on December 17, 2015 [12 favorites]
So would you say taking the kid on the cruise was tentacruel?
posted by drezdn at 12:09 AM on December 17, 2015 [12 favorites]
So, Geocachémon?
Gotta Cache 'em all...
posted by mystyk at 4:31 AM on December 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Gotta Cache 'em all...
posted by mystyk at 4:31 AM on December 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
I already get enough useless notifications on my phone; the last thing I need is a million more telling me of my encounters with endless wild Zubats, Rattatas, and Pidgeys every time I go out for a stroll.
posted by mystyk at 4:35 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mystyk at 4:35 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wait, I have to wait two years into societal collapse for my TF2 tactical fedora?
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:53 AM on December 17, 2015
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:53 AM on December 17, 2015
It's not that I'm excited for this so much as that I can't see myself not playing it.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:56 AM on December 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:56 AM on December 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
I'm hoping for a context sensitive allocation of pokemon. So that when I go to The Cloisters for the xmas party I can find something other than growlers and metapods.
posted by Slackermagee at 5:17 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Slackermagee at 5:17 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm hopeful this won't have some of the game-balance issues present in Ingress, where a small number of hyper-obsessive players on one faction can dominate an area to the point where it's absolutely no fun to try to oppose them.
posted by BuxtonTheRed at 5:20 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by BuxtonTheRed at 5:20 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
One of the McElroy brothers, from My Brother, My Brother and Me, had the brilliant idea of using this to set up his own, real life, Pokemon gym.
posted by drezdn at 5:37 AM on December 17, 2015
posted by drezdn at 5:37 AM on December 17, 2015
I'm hopeful this won't have some of the game-balance issues present in Ingress, where a small number of hyper-obsessive players on one faction can dominate an area to the point where it's absolutely no fun to try to oppose them.
Switching factions is always an option, but it depends on what you think is fun about the game. That's sort of what is appealing to me, that there are many different ways to play and enjoy what is a pointless, color coded, geolocation game.
Fuck smurfs.
posted by josher71 at 6:45 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Switching factions is always an option, but it depends on what you think is fun about the game. That's sort of what is appealing to me, that there are many different ways to play and enjoy what is a pointless, color coded, geolocation game.
Fuck smurfs.
posted by josher71 at 6:45 AM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I really want to have faith in Niantic, and want the new game to be playable. But having seen some of the ftw! decisions they made made with Ingress, I'm not entirely confident they can run this without ruining the fond(?) memories people have for Pokemon.
And I can say this without any fear since my 150 day GP came through today.
SMURFS FOREVER!!!
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 7:12 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
And I can say this without any fear since my 150 day GP came through today.
SMURFS FOREVER!!!
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 7:12 AM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I already get enough useless notifications on my phone; the last thing I need is a million more telling me of my encounters with endless wild Zubats, Rattatas, and Pidgeys every time I go out for a stroll.
You know you can turn those off, right?
posted by maryr at 7:54 AM on December 17, 2015
You know you can turn those off, right?
posted by maryr at 7:54 AM on December 17, 2015
And I can say this without any fear since my 150 day GP came through today.
Grats!
*quietly selects Jarvis virus in inventory*
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:39 AM on December 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
Grats!
*quietly selects Jarvis virus in inventory*
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:39 AM on December 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
I liked the core spatial game of Ingress, but the powerup and tool game systems really turned me off. If they layer Pokemon game mechanics into an Ingress-like spatial game, it may be fantastic.
I'm curious how they will handle social safety for children. Part of what every serious Ingress player tells me is it's way more fun when you interact socially, meet in person for a game event. Which is awesome! And I think it'd be awesome for kids too. But meeting strangers from the Internet is totally radioactive for a kids activity. And Nintendo is very sensitive to that.
posted by Nelson at 8:58 AM on December 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm curious how they will handle social safety for children. Part of what every serious Ingress player tells me is it's way more fun when you interact socially, meet in person for a game event. Which is awesome! And I think it'd be awesome for kids too. But meeting strangers from the Internet is totally radioactive for a kids activity. And Nintendo is very sensitive to that.
posted by Nelson at 8:58 AM on December 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I can't wait till we find out on the news what Pokemon are only available in the backyard of registered sex offenders.
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:56 AM on December 17, 2015
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:56 AM on December 17, 2015
When I tried playing Ingress it felt utterly futile, because I live in a big city and was not an early adopter. I wonder if this will have the same problem.
posted by egypturnash at 11:27 AM on December 17, 2015
posted by egypturnash at 11:27 AM on December 17, 2015
When I tried playing Ingress it felt utterly futile, because I live in a big city and was not an early adopter. I wonder if this will have the same problem.
My impression is that it works best if you either make friends with or already know some people already playing the game. It's in their interest to help you out so you can work more effectively with them. From what I've seen there is a significant social aspect to the game.
posted by anonymisc at 11:44 AM on December 17, 2015
My impression is that it works best if you either make friends with or already know some people already playing the game. It's in their interest to help you out so you can work more effectively with them. From what I've seen there is a significant social aspect to the game.
posted by anonymisc at 11:44 AM on December 17, 2015
I can't wait till we find out on the news what Pokemon are only available in the backyard of registered sex offenders.
I bet it's Chansey.
posted by drezdn at 11:55 AM on December 17, 2015
I bet it's Chansey.
posted by drezdn at 11:55 AM on December 17, 2015
When I tried playing Ingress it felt utterly futile, because I live in a big city and was not an early adopter. I wonder if this will have the same problem.
The game itself doesn't tell you that for the first couple weeks of playing the game, you should really focus on collecting and building and not worry about attacking. In fact, the attacks are worthless until you get to at least L5 gear. Basically, you need to grind up to L7 or 8 but grinding is real world walking around and exploration, so it shouldn't be too bad. That is my opinion, of course. Bus-commuting also helps.
posted by maryr at 12:16 PM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
The game itself doesn't tell you that for the first couple weeks of playing the game, you should really focus on collecting and building and not worry about attacking. In fact, the attacks are worthless until you get to at least L5 gear. Basically, you need to grind up to L7 or 8 but grinding is real world walking around and exploration, so it shouldn't be too bad. That is my opinion, of course. Bus-commuting also helps.
posted by maryr at 12:16 PM on December 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Baltimore Mefites should join the ENL! Ask me how!
posted by josher71 at 2:46 PM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by josher71 at 2:46 PM on December 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Here's the other big tip for Ingress newbies: unless you're super pressed for time, always glyph hack! Hold down the Hack button instead of just tapping it and you'll be taken to a quick simon-says connect the dots game. Glyph hacking gets you AP (even if hacking your own team's portals) and gets you bonus items, though it does reduce the chance of getting a key. So if you already have a portal's key or don't care about getting one, glyph hack!
posted by Pope Guilty at 3:55 PM on December 17, 2015
posted by Pope Guilty at 3:55 PM on December 17, 2015
Oh, also, when you're attacking, hold down the Fire button to charge your attack and get 1-20% extra damage based on how close to you the ring is when you release.
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:37 PM on December 17, 2015
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:37 PM on December 17, 2015
How do I move?
posted by maryr at 4:45 PM on December 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by maryr at 4:45 PM on December 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by lumensimus at 6:28 PM on December 16, 2015 [3 favorites]