Augmented reality (AR) game, "Pokemon GO" has added numerous Pokemon and features since its release more than a year ago. This time around, developers Niantic is focusing on the gameplay itself following the iOS 11 updates.
Since Apple decided to roll out their iOS 11 updates months ago, it included an enhanced feature that Niantic could utilize for "Pokemon GO", the ARKit. With this, Niantic has enhanced the game's current AR feature, now calling it the AR+.
Simply put, the AR+ now detects the players' positions from the Pokemon during an encounter. This means that players can go either closer or farther from the Pokemon. Each of them would even have their own real-to-life sizes based on the data from the "Pokemon" games. That said, players can expect to look up with their phone if they get to encounter a Charizard.
Fans would recognize this similar mechanic from the Safari Zone. In the Safari, players get to capture Pokemon without necessarily having to drain its health bar to its red zone. They only need to come closer and feed the Pokemon some PokeBlocks to make it easier to catch.
The current AR feature already sounds similar to this. There is already the PokeBlock equivalent of the AR game's berries. There is also no need to drain the Pokemon's health bar since there is not one anyway. The only thing missing is the ability to move closer or farther. It also important to remember that the Pokemon can flee if the player goes too far or near.
Currently, not too many people use the AR feature as it drains the battery fast. With the AR+, although seemingly exciting, it may then just drain the battery even faster.
For now, the update will only come to iOS devices. There is no word yet on when it will be rolled out for Android phones, but it will definitely come later.
