'Pokemon GO' beta release date news: Launches on mobile in the US

The augmented reality game "Pokemon GO" has just been released on mobile devices for beta testers in the U.S.

The field testers who signed up on the "Pokemon GO" field test form earlier this May are now occupied with beta testing, noting their feedback and readying to hand these feedback over to the mobile game development company Niantic Labs. This beta testing preludes the game's imminent public launch.

"Pokemon GO" is the training grounds which open doors for a player to become a Pokemon master. Trainers will have to capture Pokemon which will come in a variety of over a hundred kinds. When a Pokemon is located close to a player, the player will receive a notification on his phone with the instruction to make use of the handset's touch screen to throw a Poke Ball for Pokemon capture. Poke Balls and other items necessary to play the game are bought from PokeStops, which are found at public locations such as art museums and historical monuments.

In addition to capturing grown Pokemon, trainers can as well find and collect Pokemon eggs to grow and raise. They will also come across Pokemon Gyms in real-life places where they can pit their captured Pokemon in competitions against other Pokemon with the aim of gaining control over the Gym.

Customization options are also available for gamers. Players who wish to "power up" and purchase extra items will be able to with the use of PokeCoins.

The crossover between the mobile world and the actual world through gameplay with connections to and involvement of real-world locations is a brand with which Niantic Labs identifies its company name.

The Pokemon Company will also release a portable Pokemon GO Plus device through which players can enjoy the game without having to check their smartphones.

"Pokemon GO" will be available for free on Android and iOS devices. Its official launch date has yet to be announced.