Pokémon Go with HoloLens

Remember the good ole days when we’re able to search Pokémon with our phone outside without face masks? Yeah, those were good times. Well, Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, just created to level up our gaming experience with the help of holograms. 

Proof-of-Concept Video Demo: Pokémon Go

During Ignite 2021, Microsoft’s annual developer conference, Niantic announced its collaboration with the tech giant. Microsoft and Niantic will join forces to create a new “augmented reality experience.” 

As an example, the company released a proof-of-concept video. In the clip, Niantic CEO, John Hanke, is seen walking through a park wearing HoloLens 2. According to Hanke, “augmented reality could make the world a little more magical.” As he explores the park, many Pokémon appear, showing how “magical” playing Pokémon Go can be through HoloLens.

To further demonstrate the features, a menu pops out as he holds his wrist in front of the headset. After tapping on a Pikachu icon, a Pokéball is tossed out from Hanke’s menu, “materializing” the Pokémon in front of him. With another tap on the menu, Hanke managed to toss a strawberry to feed the cute Pikachu. 

In the end, Hanke meets up with Veronica Saron, who is also wearing a HoloLens 2. Veronica, a global product marketing manager for Pokémon Go, appears right beside Eevee. Naturally, she challenges Hanke to a Pokémon battle. Sadly, the concept video did not show an actual battle, leaving viewers anticipating more. 

The concept video demo is made using Microsoft Mesh. It’s the new cloud-based mixed reality service of Microsoft that’s also announced at Ignite 2021. Along with HoloLens 2, users can upload 3D models to Microsoft Mech. After uploading the models, they can share them with other users who use the same headset. Aside from that, it also enables users to interact and move the models uploaded. 

Pokémon Go in Augmented Reality

As someone who grew up watching Pokémon, it’s exciting to experience playing Pokémon Go as the concept showed. After watching the concept video, the user experience looks promising. Of course, if we ignore a stranger’s judging looks passing by as we navigate and interact with Pokémons inside the virtual space.

At least we’re not glued to the screens of our phones while unaware of the surroundings. Using the headset looks safe to use in a park and garden, as Hanke mentioned in the video. If the app pushes through, it will be interesting to see Pokémon Go users aimlessly explore the surroundings. Honestly, I can’t wait for new funny compilations and articles of players brave enough to use HoloLens out in the wild.  

Sadly, the video is only a demo of what Niantic can create in collaboration with Microsoft Mesh. So, there’s no guarantee that the version presented in the concept demo will be available to avid Pokémon fans. 

Let’s hope that HoloLens 2 will be a lot more affordable by the time it does come out. At the moment, HoloLens 2 costs $3,500 in the market. So by the time Pokémon Go releases the actual version, let’s hope the majority can afford this advanced headset.