Game maker Niantic just raised $30 million from Google, the Pokémon Company Group and Nintendo, for the development of the Pokémon Go real-world game.
Niantic made a name for itself with the popular Ingress augmented-reality game and now it plans to take things to the next level with its upcoming Pokémon GO experience.
The real-world game maker just closed an impressive Series A financing round, raising $20 million upfront with the promise of an extra $10 million if it achieves certain milestones in its development of Pokémon GO. The company did not specify what those milestones are.
With the new funds raised from Google, The Pokémon Company Group and Nintendo, Niantic will keep developing Pokémon GO, support the Ingress community, bring new games to the market, and boost its platform.
"We will be using this capital to continue the development of Pokémon GO, to evolve and grow Ingress and its thriving global community, and to build out our real-world gaming platform," Niantic CEO John Hanke announced in a new press release.
Niantic is working with Nintendo and the Pokemon Company to develop Pokémon GO, a highly-anticipated mobile game that will enable fans to search, find, battle or trade Pokémon in the real world. Leveraging geolocation technology, the game will also allow players to pair their iOS or Android device with a separate Bluetooth gadget from Nintendo. Called a "Pokémon GO Plus," this Pokeball-shaped Bluetooth gadget will vibrate and flash to alert players of a Pokemon nearby, and they'll be able to catch it with the press of a button.
"Pokémon's strategic investment in Niantic paves the way for a social mobile experience the world has never seen before," added the President and CEO of The Pokemon Company, Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company.
Meanwhile, Google Vice President of Corporate Development, Don Harrison, praised the way Niantic managed to combine innovative game design, GPS tech and engaging storytelling.
Pokémon GO game is set to hit Google Play and the App Store in 2016, promising a unique and exciting experience. Check out the video below to get a better idea of the concept.
