'Pokemon GO' release date: Augmented reality title to appear at Game Developers Conference

Pokemon GoThePokemonCompany/Niantics

When Nintendo announced a new augmented-reality game in the "Pokémon" franchise, expectations ran high among the fans. However, aside from teaser trailers released previously, no new information is available about the upcoming title.

Meanwhile, although its release date has yet to be confirmed, a 2016 outing for "Pokémon GO" is looking more plausible as developer Niantic is set to showcase the upcoming game at this year's Game Developers Conference.

On the event's official website, the exhibitors were updated to include Niantic. On its description page, the organizers ask participants to, "Join Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke as he discusses how the company has developed a unique vision for delivering a mobile Pokemon experience that gets would-be trainers into the outdoors."

The integration of augmented-reality style mechanics taken from Niantic's previous game "Ingress" and the training gameplay of the "Pokémon" franchise is the general idea for "Pokémon GO." Previous reports have already covered Niantic giving basic information about the title.

The GDC will also have participants get firsthand impressions of "Pokémon GO." While not directly saying that there will be a playable demo at the event, the description page indicates that, "Attendees will get a firsthand, in-depth look at how players are interacting and exploring the world with one another through Pokemon GO, the collaborative approach to design and development for the game and the next evolution of augmented reality and real-world mobile gameplay experiences."

Hanke is also speculated to demo the upcoming wearable that Niantic and Nintendo developed especially for "Pokémon GO." Dubbed "Pokémon GO Plus," the wearable will connect to player's mobile devices via the game's app and will also serve as a Pokémon hub for trainers, which will get updates, schedules, and other information about the game.

This year's Game Developers Conference will be held next month, from March 14 to 18 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.