Catch ‘Em All: A Deep Dive into How Pokémon GO Works
Pokémon GO, the augmented reality (AR) mobile game that took the world by storm, continues to captivate players years after its initial release. But how does this game actually work? It’s more than just walking around and tapping your screen. This in-depth guide will unravel the complex mechanics behind Pokémon GO, from the foundational technologies to the intricate gameplay loops, providing a detailed understanding of how you become a Pokémon trainer in the real world.
The Underlying Technologies That Power Pokémon GO
At its core, Pokémon GO relies on a combination of several key technologies to create its unique augmented reality experience. Understanding these technologies provides a better appreciation for the game’s functionality.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS is fundamental to the game’s operation. It uses a network of satellites orbiting Earth to determine your precise location. This location data is crucial for:
* Mapping your position on the game’s map: Your in-game avatar moves in real-time based on your GPS coordinates.
* Spawning Pokémon and other in-game elements: Pokémon, PokéStops, and Gyms are positioned based on real-world locations and data points, and are only made visible to a user once they are within a certain range determined by GPS coordinates.
* Enabling movement: You need to physically move in the real world for your in-game avatar to move, making exploration a core gameplay mechanic.
The game constantly queries your device’s GPS receiver to track your movements. However, GPS data isn’t always perfectly accurate, and various factors (like tall buildings, tree cover, or weak satellite signals) can affect the precision of your location within the game.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR is the technology that overlays computer-generated images onto your view of the real world, turning your surroundings into a Pokémon-filled landscape. Pokémon GO uses your smartphone’s camera to achieve this, offering two distinct AR modes:
* AR Mode (Camera Enabled): This mode uses your device’s camera to show Pokémon appearing in your real-world surroundings. You can see the Pokémon superimposed over your actual environment, making it feel like they are right in front of you.
* Non-AR Mode: In this mode, Pokémon appear against a static in-game background. This can be a useful alternative if you are in a location where using AR mode is not convenient or if you’re having difficulty getting the AR to work properly. This mode also tends to use less battery power.
The AR experience is also affected by a device’s motion sensors and the overall processing power of the device.
Google Maps and OpenStreetMap
Pokémon GO’s game world is built on data sourced from Google Maps and OpenStreetMap. These platforms provide:
* Base Map Data: The game uses map data to create the in-game map, displaying roads, buildings, parks, and other relevant real-world elements.
* Location-Based Data for PokéStops and Gyms: Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, previously used locations of public places sourced from Google Maps to set initial PokéStops and Gyms, often based on landmarks and points of interest. OpenStreetMap has provided data to enhance and continue to update this for new locations. These locations are often based on publicly accessible, accessible areas that a developer has reviewed and approved.
* Biomes: Different areas on the map have been assigned different biomes. These biomes influence which type of Pokemon spawn more frequently. For example, water biomes will see more water type Pokémon.
Internet Connectivity
A stable internet connection is essential for Pokémon GO to function correctly. It’s required for:
* Communication with the game servers: The game needs to send and receive data to track your location, display Pokémon, update the map, and register your actions (catching Pokémon, visiting PokéStops, etc.).
* Downloading game data: The game downloads information about new events, quests, Pokémon, and other game updates over your internet connection. A strong signal ensures seamless gameplay. Weak connections can lead to lag, errors, and disconnections, which can disrupt your experience.
* Real-time updates: Many elements in the game, such as the status of gyms or Pokémon spawn points, constantly refresh using your internet connection, which can be frustrating if not strong.
The Core Gameplay Loop
Now that we’ve explored the underlying technologies, let’s delve into the core gameplay loop that keeps players coming back for more. This loop consists of several interconnected actions.
Exploring Your Surroundings
The fundamental aspect of Pokémon GO is exploration. You physically move around your real-world environment, and your in-game avatar moves correspondingly on the map. This physical movement is the foundation of the entire gameplay experience. Benefits of exploration include:
* Discovering Pokémon: Pokémon spawn at various locations based on different criteria, such as biome or current weather. Walking around increases your chances of encountering different types of Pokemon.
* Finding PokéStops: PokéStops, marked on the map by blue icons, are real-world landmarks or places of interest where you can collect essential items like Poké Balls, Potions, and other resources. Moving to specific locations where these stops are placed allows you to utilize these resources.
* Locating Gyms: Gyms are in-game locations where players battle each other and other AI opponents to take control of the gym, another reason to engage with your surroundings, and can often be found at prominent landmarks.
* Discovering new Biomes: As you explore, you will encounter different biomes which will have a strong effect on the Pokémon that spawn. Exploring your area and seeking out different areas (like waterways or parks) can change the types of Pokemon you’ll see and add some variety to your Pokemon collection.
Encountering Pokémon
Once you’re exploring, you will eventually encounter Pokémon. When a Pokémon spawns nearby, it appears on the map. Tapping on the Pokémon initiates an encounter. This encounter follows a basic process:
* AR or Non-AR View: You can choose whether to use your camera for an AR encounter, or simply see the Pokemon in front of a fixed backdrop.
* Throwing Poké Balls: You must flick a Poké Ball at the Pokémon to try and capture it. The size, color and distance will change for each Pokemon.
* Using Items: Berries can be used to make the Pokemon easier to catch or make them more willing to stay in the ball. There are a wide variety of items that can be used in the battle that will be available as you explore and level up.
* Catching the Pokémon: If your throw is successful, the Pokémon is captured, and added to your collection, and you will get some Stardust and experience points.
* Running Away: If you don’t succeed in capturing the Pokemon, or if it attacks too frequently, the Pokemon may run away, and you will need to find another.
Collecting Items at PokéStops
PokéStops are essential for obtaining the items you need to play the game. To collect items at a PokéStop:
* Approach the PokéStop: Move your in-game avatar close enough to the PokéStop, denoted by the blue marker on the map.
* Tap the PokéStop: Tap on the icon to activate the spinning disc.
* Swipe the Photo Disc: Swipe the photo disc on the screen to spin it. As the disk spins, a number of items will be given to you.
* Collect Your Items: The items are added to your inventory. Once you collect the items, it will turn purple and require a short period before it can be activated again. Some special events will temporarily shorten this time limit.
* Special Events: During special events or game play, some items may be dropped from stops more frequently.
Battling at Gyms
Gyms are important locations for team-based gameplay. Gyms are typically controlled by one of three teams: Mystic (blue), Valor (red), and Instinct (yellow). The process is different based on whether you are battling at an opposing team’s gym or one controlled by your own team:
* Challenging a Gym of an Opposing Team:
* Choose Your Pokémon: Select six of your strongest Pokémon to battle against the Pokémon defending the gym.
* Battle: Engage in real-time battles with the defending Pokémon. Swipe to attack and tap to use special charged attacks. You can also use shields to block charged attacks.
* Defeat the Defending Pokémon: Each opposing Pokémon must be defeated in order to weaken the overall gym.
* Claim the Gym: If you can defeat the gym and no one from the opposing team is there to battle you, you can claim the gym for your team by adding one of your Pokemon as a defender.
* Training at a Gym of Your Team:
* Choose Your Pokémon: Select your own Pokémon to battle against your team’s defenders. This allows you to work on your battle skills and get experience points.
* Earn Gym Points and Badges: By training at your own team’s gym, you can earn points to raise your badge level for the gym.
Completing Research Tasks and Quests
Pokémon GO offers a variety of quests and research tasks to provide additional goals and rewards:
* Field Research Tasks: These are short, daily tasks that you receive from spinning PokéStops. Examples may include “Catch 5 Water-type Pokémon” or “Evolve 2 Pokémon”. Completing these tasks rewards you with items or special Pokemon encounters.
* Special Research Tasks: These are longer, story-driven quest lines that reward players with specific items or encounters with rarer Pokémon. These quests can usually be completed at your own pace.
* Timed Research Tasks: These are event-based research tasks that must be completed within a limited time to earn their rewards. These can be based around events like a community day.
* Rewards: Completing tasks and quests reward you with experience points, items, and encounters with Pokémon.
Leveling Up Your Trainer
As you perform different actions in the game, you earn experience points (XP). Accumulating enough XP allows you to level up your trainer, which unlocks additional features and rewards, including:
* Access to new items: As you level up, you can use more advanced Poké Balls and items at PokéStops.
* Stronger Pokémon encounters: Higher-level trainers encounter Pokémon with higher CP (combat power).
* Access to more features: Certain in-game features, such as gym battles, certain quests, and more are not available until you level up to a specific threshold.
Evolving Your Pokémon
Evolving your Pokémon is a crucial part of completing your Pokédex and powering up your battling teams. Pokémon evolutions follow these key mechanics:
* Candy: Pokémon evolve using species-specific candy, which you can obtain by capturing that specific species of Pokémon or transferring Pokemon to the professor for rewards. The amount of candy required for evolution varies by species.
* Special items: Some Pokémon require special evolution items that can be found at PokéStops or obtained from quests.
* Special Conditions: Some Pokémon may have specific evolution conditions, such as walking a certain distance with that Pokemon as a buddy.
* Evolving Pokémon: Once you have the correct requirements, you can click on the “Evolve” button on the Pokemon page and watch as it becomes a stronger form.
Participating in Events and Challenges
Niantic frequently releases special events and challenges to keep the game fresh and engaging:
* Community Days: During these events, a specific Pokémon spawns at a much higher rate and has an increased chance of being shiny, allowing players to evolve specific Pokemon to unlock new move sets and find more rare shiny Pokemon.
* Raid Events: Raid events have powerful boss Pokemon that can only be defeated by large groups of players working together.
* Special events: During special events, certain Pokemon types may spawn more frequently, or special rewards may be obtained when you play in certain ways.
* Challenges: These are typically longer events that can have different reward tiers based on how much you play. These often require collaboration of players throughout the community.
* Benefits: These events often provide unique rewards, increased spawn rates of rare Pokémon, and exclusive in-game items and challenges.
Advanced Gameplay Elements
Beyond the basic loop, Pokémon GO offers a variety of advanced gameplay features for more experienced players.
Buddy System
The buddy system allows you to select a Pokémon as your buddy, gaining various benefits by walking with your buddy:
* Candy: Walking with your buddy earns you candies, which can be used to evolve it or power it up.
* Bonus encounters: Your buddy can find special items or encounters, making your gameplay experience unique.
* Improved mood: As you play with and reward your buddy, it’s overall mood will improve, giving you some additional bonuses.
Pokémon Types and Battles
Understanding Pokémon types and type advantages is crucial for success in gym and trainer battles. The core concept is:
* Type Chart: Each Pokémon has a specific type (e.g., Fire, Water, Grass). Types have strengths and weaknesses against each other (e.g., Fire is strong against Grass but weak against Water). Learning the type chart is a basic tenet of Pokemon gameplay.
* Strategic Battles: Building balanced teams to take into battle that can work against many different Pokemon is crucial for success.
* Move Sets: Different Pokemon can learn different movesets that utilize different types. Selecting a Pokemon that has good movesets for different types can give you the advantage in gym and trainer battles.
Trading Pokémon
Trading Pokémon with other players is a great way to obtain Pokémon that you may not be able to find in your area, and to strengthen your friendshipt with other players.
* Friendship Levels: The friendship level with the other player impacts how much it will cost to trade a Pokemon, and the amount of stardust you will gain or lose when you trade.
* Special Trades: Mythical and Shiny Pokemon can only be traded by players at a certain friendship level, which is a great way to play the game in the long-term with your friends.
* Regional Pokemon: Some pokemon will only spawn in certain regions of the world. Trading with other players is one of the only ways to obtain Pokemon outside of your region, and to complete your pokedex.
Remote Raids
Remote raiding is a great way to access the raid battle system, especially if it is difficult to get to a raid location. This allows players from across the world to play together.
* Remote Raid Passes: This special pass allows you to join a raid without being physically present at the gym location.
* Joining Raids with Friends: You can coordinate to join raids remotely with your friends.
* Access to Powerful Pokemon: Raids feature powerful Pokemon that can be obtained by any player who participates.
The Pokémon GO Community
Pokémon GO fosters a vibrant community that enhances the overall gaming experience:
* Local Groups: Join local player groups to coordinate raids, share tips, and meet other trainers.
* Online Forums: Online communities provide information about new game content, updates, and best practices.
* Events and meet-ups: Attend Pokémon GO meetups and events to play in person with other community members.
Tips for New Players
If you’re new to Pokémon GO, here are some tips to help you get started:
* Start with exploration: The game is built on exploration, so get out and walk around your area to discover new Pokemon and items.
* Catch every Pokemon you can: This helps you level up, collect stardust and candy, and fill out your Pokédex.
* Visit PokéStops often: Collect resources and get special rewards, as there is no limit to how many times you can visit them a day.
* Use your items effectively: When trying to catch a Pokemon, use berries and the correct balls to make sure you are able to catch it.
* Join a team: Select a team to be a part of the community. You can coordinate events with other teammates and gain an advantage in gyms.
* Learn about Pokemon types: Knowing how the different types interact is essential for success in battles, and will help you make better choices.
* Be patient: Pokémon GO is a long-term game, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t progress quickly.
* Have fun: The most important thing is to enjoy the game and the experience of walking around and interacting with other players.
Conclusion
Pokémon GO is a complex and engaging game that uses a variety of different technologies and gameplay mechanics to create an engaging and immersive experience. From GPS tracking to augmented reality, the game leverages the capabilities of modern smartphones to bring the world of Pokémon to life. By understanding the core technologies, gameplay loop, and advanced features of Pokémon GO, you can enhance your experience and become a true Pokémon master. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated trainer, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Pokémon GO. So, put on your shoes, grab your phone, and get out there and explore!