Pokémon Go: A New Reality

Pokémon might walk among us now, but for more than 20 years the characters were trapped in a 2-D world. They first appeared in 1996 as part of a video game released by the company Nintendo for its portable Game Boy system. In the game, players could choose a human character, called a Trainer, and head into an imaginary world to catch as many Pokémon as possible. Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri dreamed up the idea of Pokémon.

Pokémon might walk among us now, but they were trapped in a 2-D world for more than 20 years. They first showed up in 1996 as part of a video game. The company Nintendo released it for its portable Game Boy system. In the game, players could choose a human character, called a Trainer. Then they headed into an imaginary world to catch as many Pokémon as possible.

“As a child, Mr. Tajiri loved collecting insects,” says J.C. Smith, a director of Japan-based The Pokémon Company. “He came up with the idea to create a game about collecting and sharing creatures.”

The game’s success inspired dozens of spin-offs, including more video games, trading cards, toys, and TV shows. Now, with the help of the software development company Niantic, the dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer is closer to reality.

Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri dreamed up the idea of Pokémon. “As a child, Mr. Tajiri loved collecting insects,” says J.C. Smith, a director of Japan-based The Pokémon Company. “He came up with the idea to create a game about collecting and sharing creatures.”

The game’s success led to dozens of spin-offs. Pokémon appeared in more video games, trading cards, toys, and TV shows. Now the software development company Niantic is lending a hand. And the dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer is closer to reality.

An app like Pokémon GO is possible thanks to the technology already inside smartphones. The game’s AR works by overlaying an image of a Pokémon on top of the view from your smartphone’s camera. As a result, it looks as if the creature is right in front of you. 

Once a Pokémon appears in the game, the app uses the compass inside your phone to determine which direction you’re pointing. The app also uses your phone’s accelerometer—which senses your phone’s movements—and its gyroscope—which tracks when you rotate your phone. The constant stream of data from these components helps keep the Pokémon in about the same place, even if you move your phone in different directions.

What makes an app like Pokémon GO possible? It’s technology that’s already inside smartphones. The game’s AR puts an image of a Pokémon on top of the view from your smartphone’s camera. This makes it look as if the creature is right in front of you.

When a Pokémon appears in the game, the app uses other parts of your phone. The compass inside your phone shows which direction you’re pointing. Your phone’s accelerometer senses your phone’s movements, and its gyroscope tracks when you turn your phone. These devices send a constant stream of data to the app. This helps keep the Pokémon in about the same place, even if you move your phone around.

Another essential technology for Pokémon GO is its ability to access the global positioning system, or GPS, through your phone. GPS uses satellites orbiting high above Earth to pinpoint your phone’s approximate location anywhere on the planet (see How GPS Works). Pokémon GO uses this data to plot where you are on the game’s map. In doing so, the app tracks your real-time location, a feature that has some privacy experts worried (see Protecting Your Privacy).

Pokémon GO developers used data from another Niantic game, Ingress, to help place the game’s digital characters, objects, and places in the real world. In Ingress, users uploaded photographs of historical landmarks and cultural attractions and tagged them with geographical information. This data makes it possible to turn real-life locations into digital Pokéstops (places to collect virtual items to power up Pokémon) and Pokémon gyms (where players can battle Pokémon).

Another technology is important for Pokémon GO. The app uses the global positioning system, or GPS, through your phone. GPS uses satellites that travel high above Earth. They can find your phone anywhere on the planet (see How GPS Works). Pokémon GO uses this data to plot where you are on the game’s map. When it does this, the app tracks where you are in real time. That worries some privacy experts (see Protecting Your Privacy).

Pokémon GO got some help from another Niantic game, Ingress. In Ingress, users took photos of landmarks and attractions. They tagged the photos with information about the location. Pokémon GO developers used this data to help place the game’s digital characters, objects, and places in the real world. They turned real-life sites into digital Pokéstops—places to collect virtual items to power up Pokémon. Other sites became Pokémon gyms—where players can battle Pokémon against one another.