In the process of receiving this additional funding, Niantic also spun out from Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
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Given expectations for Pokemon GO following its initial unveiling, it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that all three of the previously mentioned companies have invested roughly $20 million in the studio developing the game, Niantic Labs. $20 million has already been provided to the company, with the last $10 million opening up once Niantic hits certain benchmarks in development.
The announcement of a mobile Pokemon game is a monumental shift for Nintendo, which owns a significant portion of the Pokemon company. Niantic will leverage the funding and strategic relationships to continue work on its “Pokemon Go” game, support its Ingress community, scale its platform and bring new games to market. While not much is known about Pokemon Go yet, the game will involve hunting down Pokemon in real world locations using your smartphone, as well as an awkward looking wearable called the Pokemon Go Plus.
Ingriss, Niantic’s previous game, is a sci-fi title pitting two factions against one another for the control of real world physical locations.
It’s not surprising in the least to have seen the immediate reaction that gamers and casual players had after seeing the reveal for Pokemon GO.
This game will be massive- it may become the next evolution of the Pokemon franchise. Tsunekazu Ishihara who is also the CEO of the Pokemon Company, stated that his company will aid and provide all the things Niantic needs to make Pokemon Go a reality. “The Pokémon Company is committed to partnering with companies like Niantic that share the same spirit of community and innovation”.
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Nintendo and Tokyo-based Pokemon Co. are working with Niantic on “Pokemon Go”, a new smartphone title due out in 2016, and seek to deepen ties.
