Niantic and Nintendo Announce New 'Pikmin' Augmented Reality Game

[MacRumors]

Niantic and Nintendo today announced the upcoming debut of a new augmented reality game based on Nintendo's "Pikmin" franchise, with the title set to launch later in 2021.

Nintendo's Pikmin franchise features a series of strategy and puzzle games where players direct a variety of plant-like creatures called Pikmin to destroy obstacles, fight enemies, and avoid hazards while exploring an Earth-style planet.

There are few details available about the Pikmin AR game at this time, but Niantic says that it will allow you to "explore the world" alongside Pikmin friends, with a focus on gameplay activities that will "make walking more delightful."

Today, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Nintendo to jointly develop mobile titles built on Niantic's real-world AR technology, bringing Nintendo's beloved characters to life in new ways. We're honored that Nintendo has chosen Niantic to be its publisher of real-world AR applications.

To kick off the partnership, Niantic and Nintendo are developing an app based on the Pikmin franchise. The app will include gameplay activities to encourage walking and make walking more delightful. Slated to launch later this year, this will be the first title created by our Tokyo Studio since it was established in April 2018.

Niantic is allowing people to sign up to get more information about the title, and says more details will be available in the coming months.

In a statement, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto said that Niantic's AR tech will make it possible to experience the world as if we're living with Pikmin all around us.

Niantic's AR technology has made it possible for us to experience the world as if Pikmin are secretly living all around us. Based on the theme of making walking fun, our mission is to provide people a new experience that's different from traditional games. We hope that the Pikmin and this app will become a partner in your life.

Niantic developed hit game "Pokémon Go," an augmented reality title where players are tasked with catching Pokémon while out and about. Pokémon Go has remained popular since its 2016 launch, and Niantic has also since come out with "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite." Like Pokémon Go and other Niantic titles, the upcoming Pikmin game will be a mobile title that will presumably be available on iOS and Android devices.

Pikmin is a strategy and puzzle video game where players direct plant-like creatures called Pikmin to destroy obstacles, fight enemies, and avoid hazards while exploring an Earth-style planet.

Article Link: Niantic and Nintendo Announce New 'Pikmin' Augmented Reality Game

 

[innovationwho]

Pokémon go was good in its first year or two. However this will just be another cash grab for Niantic.

 

[kalafalas]

Nothing will ever compare to the Pokémon go summer of 2016. Made so many friends

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Pure innovation! Can’t wait to try it.

 

[rmatosinhos]

Amazing, not people will be able to view COVID virus, thank you "no lo entiendo"

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Pokémon go was good in its first year or two. However this will just be another cash grab for Niantic.

When you think about it, they’re a company that’s in business to make money (they’re not “not for profit”) so literally everything they do is a cash grab.

 

[Jxdawg]

I have fond memories of Pickman series, looking forward to this!

 

[LeadingHeat]

Pikmin and Pikmin 2 are hands down one of the best Nintendo games out there. Right up there with Zelda and Mario imo. I’ll instantly be downloading this when it comes out.

 

[innovationwho]

When you think about it, they’re a company that’s in business to make money (they’re not “not for profit”) so literally everything they do is a cash grab.

Obviously. Yet their business strategy is toxic.

 

[kcslc]

Looking forward to this, as a huge Pikmin fan, however… I have little faith in Nintendo iOS games (RIP, Super Mario Run).

 

[travis64]

This is big i still play go

 

[Bustycat]

Pokémon go was good in its first year or two. However this will just be another cash grab for Niantic.

I’ve been playing Pokémon GO every day for nearly 5 years and what I only paid for were merely several bag and Pokémon slot expansions.

 

[innovationwho]

I’ve been playing Pokémon GO every day for nearly 5 years and what I only paid for were merely several bag and Pokémon slot expansions.

Okay? I don’t understand the want or need to pay for any of that. I had played it everyday since launch up until winter of 2020, never gave Niantic a dime of my own money. It got ridiculous when they started charging for events to get “event exclusive” Pokémon.

 

[Bustycat]

Okay? I don’t understand the want or need to pay for any of that. I had played it everyday since launch up until winter of 2020, never gave Niantic a dime of my own money. It got ridiculous when they started charging for events to get “event exclusive” Pokémon.

So it has a sustainable method of revenue that impacts players the least. I’m just lazy to clean my bag and Pokémons that I’m willing to pay some. It is cheaper than millions of mobile games honestly.

 

[itsmeaustend]

This will fail like the Harry Potter game. You just can’t compete with the popularity of Pokémon, yet they keep trying for some reason. POGO was a success because Pokémon reaches so many different generations and a wide range of people.

Guarantee 1% of people will of even heard of Pikmin led alone play a random game revolving around them.

 

[itsmeaustend]

I’ve been playing Pokémon GO every day for nearly 5 years and what I only paid for were merely several bag and Pokémon slot expansions.

Which can also be paid for with earnable in-game currency.

IAPS are completely optional.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Obviously. Yet their business strategy is toxic.

If a business strategy that seeks out and acquires the profit that it expects is a toxic one, then absolutely, no question, every company’s business strategy is toxic.

 

[qoop]

I remember loads of people driving very slowly around our cul de sac a few years ago. Someone said to me they were playing Pokemon, I didn't see any phones so I put them down as dirty kerb crawlers.

 

[pioneer9k]

This will fail like the Harry Potter game. You just can’t compete with the popularity of Pokémon, yet they keep trying for some reason. POGO was a success because Pokémon reaches so many different generations and a wide range of people.

Guarantee 1% of people will of even heard of Pikmin led alone play a random game revolving around them.

Ngl, i never use the AR stuff in POGO. ever. it’s just more annoying to play with it.

 

[innovationwho]

If a business strategy that seeks out and acquires the profit that it expects is a toxic one, then absolutely, no question, every company’s business strategy is toxic.

What a basic response. Not every business seeking profit is toxic. Niantic along with plenty of other companies across the board were shady with how quickly they switched to pay only and raised prices during this Pandemic. You must have not played the game for the first two years from launch. Giving users the option to spend money, that’s on the user. Actually charging money for “event exclusive” Pokémon and content is ridiculous. Paywalls are toxic.

 

[swm]

in other news: MMS was released based on the success of SMS

 

[Bustycat]

This will fail like the Harry Potter game. You just can’t compete with the popularity of Pokémon, yet they keep trying for some reason. POGO was a success because Pokémon reaches so many different generations and a wide range of people.

Guarantee 1% of people will of even heard of Pikmin led alone play a random game revolving around them.

Pokémon GO would have failed if it only collect Pokémon. What make players continue playing are engaging activities and functions.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Paywalls are toxic.

I want a service. I have to pay to get it and this constitutes a paywall.

EVERY company that sells a service (not giving it away for free) utilizes a paywall.

All profit making service providers are toxic.

 

[rmariboe]

Pikmin basically means “my dick” in Danish 😒

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Pure innovation! Can’t wait to try it.

Augmented Reality is fun. Believe me when you play it you will get addicted to it.