Nintendo, The Pokémon Company and Google announced on Thursday that they are investing up to $30 million Niantic Labs for the development of the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go.

Formally part of Google before spinning out on its own after the company (and a few others) became owned by Alphabet, Niantic previously created a successful augmented reality sci-fi game called Ingress. Teaming up the Pokémon Company to develop its latest mobile game, which is also planted in the real world, Pokémon Go will allow gamers to catch, trade and battle their Pokémon in real locations using their smartphones.

As part of the deal, the three big companies will invest $20 million upfront, along with an additional $10 million in possible funding if the studio can meet its performance milestones.

Pokémon Go is expected to be released next year for both iOS and Android devices.

Gamers will receive notifications on their mobile devices or via a Bluetooth-connected device called Pokémon GO Plus when a character is nearby as they roam their cities.

Niantic CEO (and co-creator of Google Earth) John Hanke revealed that the game will take features that worked in Ingress, such as having organized events for players to meet and play together at some real locations.

"Niantic has shown the great potential of mixing geolocation technology, dynamic storytelling and innovative game design," Google's VP of Corporate Development Don Harrison said. "[W]e're excited to continue supporting the team on their journey."

This funding collaboration only suggests that the big companies will continue to help develop innovative online games to bring augmented reality to life. Hanke also said the companies view Pokémon Go as just one of the many games that "break out of the living room" they will help develop, as Niantic will continue to build out its Ingress platform to allow other developers to make their own real-world games.

Source: Re/Code
Via: Venture Beat