Sign-ups for Pokemon Go ‘field test’ kick off in Japan, other countries coming later

By Kris Wouk Published March 4, 2016

pokemon go sign ups japan plus with strap — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since its announcement in September, we’ve known that Pokemon Go will be a mobile game that combines the “gotta catch ’em all” aspect the game is known for with the real-world location scouting of developer Niantic’s previous game, Ingress, but we’ve had no idea what the game will actually look like. Now gamers are finally going to get a chance to see the game in action, as Niantic has started taking sign-ups for a “field test” of the game in Japan, IGN reports.

Niantic hasn’t used the word, but this “field test” appears to essentially be a beta test of the game, although the unique way the game works likely doesn’t pair well with a traditional beta. Though limited, this is a chance for Pokemon fans to get an early look at that app, while Niantic gets the benefit of user feedback as the firm moves forward with development.

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While the sign-ups are currently only available to people located in Japan, that won’t be the case for too long. The developer says that the field test “will expand to other countries in the weeks to come,” though no specifics were offered on when exactly this might be or what countries can expect to see sign-ups next.

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This will be the first chance the public has for a look at the game, but that wasn’t supposed to be the case. Niantic was supposed to share details on Pokemon Go at GDC on March 14, but yesterday it cancelled its presentation. “As much as we hate to disappoint those in the industry attending GDC, we feel our time and energy right now are best spent on making sure every aspect of the product is where we want it to be,” Niantic CEO John Hanke told GameInformer.

No release date has been set so far for Pokemon Go, but the game is set to be released for iOS and Android sometime in 2016.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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