Virtual reality pokemon?

[ArcaKnight]

Would anybody else love to see a virtual reality where you are in the pokemon world?
I know I would and I'm pretty sure you would too...
so post about what you would expect it to do!

 

[Deadman]

Well, though nothing could beat my awesome and funny (and sometimes annoying) cats I'd certainly prefer a VR Pokèmon before any robot pets or "lifeless" figurines and plush dolls. I would really love to walk alongside my Pokèmon, winning battles, beating up evil teams and stuff just as it were when I pet my cats. There are so many Pokèmon I'd like to touch, feel them and see them breath for real but we are certainly far from this. I'd be very awesome to create my own Pokèmon food for my partner and high five or embrace them or so if we won a difficult battle. I'd be so suuuuuuuuper. However, I doubt I'll see something like that in my lifetime but who knows, can't see the future (and I'm glad for it).

 

[Bolt Strike]

Well, though nothing could beat my awesome and funny (and sometimes annoying) cats I'd certainly prefer a VR Pokèmon before any robot pets or "lifeless" figurines and plush dolls. I would really love to walk alongside my Pokèmon, winning battles, beating up evil teams and stuff just as it were when I pet my cats. There are so many Pokèmon I'd like to touch, feel them and see them breath for real but we are certainly far from this. I'd be very awesome to create my own Pokèmon food for my partner and high five or embrace them or so if we won a difficult battle. I'd be so suuuuuuuuper. However, I doubt I'll see something like that in my lifetime but who knows, can't see the future (and I'm glad for it).

It's closer than you think. There's been several designs for VR helmets in the works that allow you to see virtual worlds in 360 degrees. Now something along the lines of say, Sword Art Online, where you transfer your consciousness into the game is still a ways off, but if you're just looking for the visual aspect, we'll be seeing that as early as next gen.

When we'll see a Pokemon game that uses VR is a more interesting question. Even if Nintendo does move to VR next gen, it will probably not be for handhelds, the concept simply doesn't work very well for a handheld. The problem is that at the moment, Pokemon is primarily a handheld franchise, Game Freak has been very clear that they will not develop Pokemon games for a console that is incapable of portability. So the only ways a VR Pokemon game will happen is if either VR somehow makes them change their minds (which I doubt, they're very stubborn about portability) or if we get a Fusion console and God only knows when that would happen (Nintendo has implied that it won't be happening next gen, though).

But yeah, I'd love a VR Pokemon game, that would be really fun. I imagine VR would add a lot to the communication element in particular, imagine the PSS except you can fully interact with other players.

 

[Ellron]

While this sounds like a really awesome thing, I don't think it's a very good idea. The main reason I think this is because, as cool as complete engulfment in the Pokemon world sounds, that same engulfment would likely get us even more sucked into the games than we already are. Nothing would ever get done, we'd very likely find ourselves spending nearly every waking moment 'in the game'. I just feel like it could go very wrong.

 

[Alolan Slowpoke]

Virtual reality, eh? Well, while the idea isn't all to bad, would it really be worth it do make such a thing? I can't see the practicality of it. Pokémon is, for the most part, a mobile adventure you can take with you anywhere. Adding VR to the formula would make for awkward social situations, surely. Also, the game would, most likely, be in third person, which could certainly be done, but just seems silly. VR is silly. Raiden didn't actually do his VR training.

 

[Te-em]

I've seen what I think is a prototype to a Pokemon game for Android(?), where you can see the Pokemon through the screen. It's not like you are in the Pokemon world, but the Pokemon are in your world, as long as you direct the phone at them. I wonder if this could work for 3DS or future consoles too. It was in 3D by the way. I expect this kind of game would appear before a VR game.

 

[Bolt Strike]

I've seen what I think is a prototype to a Pokemon game for Android(?), where you can see the Pokemon through the screen. It's not like you are in the Pokemon world, but the Pokemon are in your world, as long as you direct the phone at them. I wonder if this could work for 3DS or future consoles too. It was in 3D by the way. I expect this kind of game would appear before a VR game.

I believe you're thinking of AR (Augmented Reality), where the screen basically acts like a camera and virtual elements gets layered onto the display. They already did this in the Dream Radar, so it's really nothing new for Pokemon. I don't really think that would work for the main series though, because that destroys the adventure element to the game. The game is built around traveling through regions, but how is that going to work when each person has a different, usually centralized travel path as they go about their business? They wouldn't be able to match up real life areas with Pokemon world areas, and the region design would be too different from person to person.

Furthermore, that's not really a gateway to VR, they work better in different circumstances. VR only works in a stationary environment where you don't need to see your surroundings (like your living room), so it only really works for consoles. VR just doesn't work for a handheld because you need to be aware of your surroundings when you play, can you imagine playing an AR game when you're out and about? You'd be constantly bumping into things and would probably get run over or something, it'd be extremely dangerous to do so. So you're not going to see VR on a handheld, the concept just doesn't work in that environment. Which is why I said VR Pokemon is not happening until Pokemon moves to consoles, and that probably isn't happening until we get a Fusion console.

 

[Kevin121]

Nintendo could ally itself with the Oculus Rift or the "sony virtual reality" console in the near future and make it happen. The oculus rift is already supporting graphics demanding games like Skyrim and Call of Duty so Pokemon would be a breeze.

PS- they already did it for pokemon heart gold/soul silver

'''Pokemon''' gets a virtual reality makeover for Oculus Rift | The Verge

 

[Deadman]

Well, though nothing could beat my awesome and funny (and sometimes annoying) cats I'd certainly prefer a VR Pokèmon before any robot pets or "lifeless" figurines and plush dolls. I would really love to walk alongside my Pokèmon, winning battles, beating up evil teams and stuff just as it were when I pet my cats. There are so many Pokèmon I'd like to touch, feel them and see them breath for real but we are certainly far from this. I'd be very awesome to create my own Pokèmon food for my partner and high five or embrace them or so if we won a difficult battle. I'd be so suuuuuuuuper. However, I doubt I'll see something like that in my lifetime but who knows, can't see the future (and I'm glad for it).

It's closer than you think. There's been several designs for VR helmets in the works that allow you to see virtual worlds in 360 degrees. Now something along the lines of say, Sword Art Online, where you transfer your consciousness into the game is still a ways off, but if you're just looking for the visual aspect, we'll be seeing that as early as next gen.

When we'll see a Pokemon game that uses VR is a more interesting question. Even if Nintendo does move to VR next gen, it will probably not be for handhelds, the concept simply doesn't work very well for a handheld. The problem is that at the moment, Pokemon is primarily a handheld franchise, Game Freak has been very clear that they will not develop Pokemon games for a console that is incapable of portability. So the only ways a VR Pokemon game will happen is if either VR somehow makes them change their minds (which I doubt, they're very stubborn about portability) or if we get a Fusion console and God only knows when that would happen (Nintendo has implied that it won't be happening next gen, though).

But yeah, I'd love a VR Pokemon game, that would be really fun. I imagine VR would add a lot to the communication element in particular, imagine the PSS except you can fully interact with other players.

Well, more like the SAO part but not lying or sitting around but actually moving your real body whilst traveling through the Pokèmon world in VR. You know, actual movement would be the best (maybe only) thing to counter the motion sickness. What if the VR would be portable then their is a chance but we don't even have working stationary ones though the portables might even be the better choice. Visuals might be nice but I'm focused on the screen for the most part of playing anyway so the difference might not be to much. For me, I want to have more then 1 sense (vision) addressed in VR though I probably would prefer to pass Muk or Gloom. On the other hand Roselia or Spritzee would be nice to smell and I'd certainly wanted to cuddle a Shaymin, hedgehogs in reality tend to be spiky, ya know. Wii U is kind of portable as well (though we need better batteries) so theres a chance. Alternative to VR for that would be Gene engineering but I rather have it VR to experience the Pokèmon world.

 

[Bolt Strike]

Well, more like the SAO part but not lying or sitting around but actually moving your real body whilst traveling through the Pokèmon world in VR. You know, actual movement would be the best (maybe only) thing to counter the motion sickness.

You do have to move around to use it. Imagine playing Kinect but with a helment on, that's basically how it's supposed to work.

What if the VR would be portable then their is a chance but we don't even have working stationary ones though the portables might even be the better choice.

As I said before, portable VR doesn't work. You'd bump into things too much IRL.

Visuals might be nice but I'm focused on the screen for the most part of playing anyway so the difference might not be to much. For me, I want to have more then 1 sense (vision) addressed in VR though I probably would prefer to pass Muk or Gloom. On the other hand Roselia or Spritzee would be nice to smell and I'd certainly wanted to cuddle a Shaymin, hedgehogs in reality tend to be spiky, ya know.

It's mainly visual, we haven't reached the point where smell and touch come into play (and I imagine they wouldn't add too much gameplay wise anyway).

Wii U is kind of portable as well (though we need better batteries) so theres a chance. Alternative to VR for that would be Gene engineering but I rather have it VR to experience the Pokèmon world.

Something Wii U like is a possibility, but that's not strictly "portable". Portable would mean that you can take it wherever you want, not just within a certain radius of your TV.

 

[Lyra]

Forget virtual reality, I wish a real reality of it comes true xp.

 

[Agent 007 Squirtle]

If Game Freak made a Virtual Reality, Open World, MMO, Pokemon Game, It would be the best. It would be essentially POKEMON: SKYRIM/WORLDOFWARCRAFT/OCCULUSRIFT VERSION.

 

[BlackButterfree]

As long as it's not those shitty Skyrim graphics everyone wants and is the 2D world translated into reality, I'm fine. I wouldn't play Pokémon if Arcanine looked like it would eat me, so why the hell would I wanna live Pokémon if it did? I'm here for it, but it really depends on how it's done.

 

[Lugia trainer]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. That would be awesome I can't tell you how many times I've dreamed of seeing pokemon in person and with virtual reality that would basically be the same thing. I would love to see and interact with a legendary that I captured like celebi. And instead of just selecting a battle command on a menu screen I could give it to them directly like in the anime. I can't see it beeing a main series game but it would make a great spinoff game and as for Game Freak refusing to make such a game well...... I'm pretty sure they'd be forced to if there is a high enough demand for one.

 

[Deadman]

You do have to move around to use it. Imagine playing Kinect but with a helment on, that's basically how it's supposed to work.

What if the VR would be portable then their is a chance but we don't even have working stationary ones though the portables might even be the better choice.

As I said before, portable VR doesn't work. You'd bump into things too much IRL.

Visuals might be nice but I'm focused on the screen for the most part of playing anyway so the difference might not be to much. For me, I want to have more then 1 sense (vision) addressed in VR though I probably would prefer to pass Muk or Gloom. On the other hand Roselia or Spritzee would be nice to smell and I'd certainly wanted to cuddle a Shaymin, hedgehogs in reality tend to be spiky, ya know.

It's mainly visual, we haven't reached the point where smell and touch come into play (and I imagine they wouldn't add too much gameplay wise anyway).

Wii U is kind of portable as well (though we need better batteries) so theres a chance. Alternative to VR for that would be Gene engineering but I rather have it VR to experience the Pokèmon world.

Something Wii U like is a possibility, but that's not strictly "portable". Portable would mean that you can take it wherever you want, not just within a certain radius of your TV.

1. Never played Kinect or Move (and I dislike M$ on consoles anyway) so can't really tell and Wii Motion plus is flawed as well (why slashing in Skyward Sword, if at all horizontal or diagonal at best when I moved vertical?) but somewhere on Youtube I saw a thing you can move on a small region while on the screen you run much further so maybe like that? You could have a bit of a workout while playing if you want.

2. Sooner or later something would come up to prevent bumping into others or things although if I would see someone wearing a helmet or whatever while walking and knew about VR (though as a gamer things like this would come to me more likely than if I was a non- or casual gamer) I would know I might want to dodge him or her (but bumping into a cute girl would be a way to get in a conversation without it to appear intentional) in time. Also possible a combination of VR and AR to prevent such stuff or maybe even something like big VR zone declarations as a warning and in the VR of the player that gives obstacles like they were in the VR world as you approach them. However, we haven't even reached fully working VR without very negative side effects (motion sickness).

3. Yeah and as said we haven't even get perfectly working visual VR. This is way far in the future to discuss.

4. Well, works with what I wrote in parts in 1 and 2 and I must confess about Wii U it's half-knowledge anyway since I haven't got one yet. I see no point to rush it with so few games that really interest me and especially with the region lock though 2015 when Zelda U is released I'll probably order one.

 

[Bolt Strike]

1. Never played Kinect or Move (and I dislike M$ on consoles anyway) so can't really tell and Wii Motion plus is flawed as well (why slashing in Skyward Sword, if at all horizontal or diagonal at best when I moved vertical?) but somewhere on Youtube I saw a thing you can move on a small region while on the screen you run much further so maybe like that? You could have a bit of a workout while playing if you want.

That was the Virtuix Omni, which is basically a treadmill-esque peripheral that allows you to walk around in the game world without going anywhere IRL. And really, that's a crucial part of the entire concept of VR (that is, unless you just want to use a VR helmet with a normal controller, which pretty much breaks the immersion).

2. Sooner or later something would come up to prevent bumping into others or things although if I would see someone wearing a helmet or whatever while walking and knew about VR (though as a gamer things like this would come to me more likely than if I was a non- or casual gamer) I would know I might want to dodge him or her (but bumping into a cute girl would be a way to get in a conversation without it to appear intentional) in time. Also possible a combination of VR and AR to prevent such stuff or maybe even something like big VR zone declarations as a warning and in the VR of the player that gives obstacles like they were in the VR world as you approach them. However, we haven't even reached fully working VR without very negative side effects (motion sickness).

I can't see how this is fixable in a mobile environment whatsoever. The very nature of mobile is that you can play the game anywhere, based on where you go in your own life (for instance, you can play as you're travelling to and from work). So by that logic, in order for something to work in a mobile playstyle, it needs to work at any kind of environment. The problem with VR is that it requires actual motion from your body, different from the motions required to go about your business during the day. So unless the in game layout matches exactly what you're doing IRL, it's impossible to play. IRL people walking around would not match characters and enemies in the game. IRL roads, paths, and obstacles would not match the ones in game. It just wouldn't work unless you design the game world around the IRL world, in which case you've just crossed the line from VR into AR.

 

[BlackButterfree]

Well, though nothing could beat my awesome and funny (and sometimes annoying) cats I'd certainly prefer a VR Pokèmon before any robot pets or "lifeless" figurines and plush dolls. I would really love to walk alongside my Pokèmon, winning battles, beating up evil teams and stuff just as it were when I pet my cats. There are so many Pokèmon I'd like to touch, feel them and see them breath for real but we are certainly far from this. I'd be very awesome to create my own Pokèmon food for my partner and high five or embrace them or so if we won a difficult battle. I'd be so suuuuuuuuper. However, I doubt I'll see something like that in my lifetime but who knows, can't see the future (and I'm glad for it).

It's closer than you think. There's been several designs for VR helmets in the works that allow you to see virtual worlds in 360 degrees. Now something along the lines of say, Sword Art Online, where you transfer your consciousness into the game is still a ways off, but if you're just looking for the visual aspect, we'll be seeing that as early as next gen.

When we'll see a Pokemon game that uses VR is a more interesting question. Even if Nintendo does move to VR next gen, it will probably not be for handhelds, the concept simply doesn't work very well for a handheld. The problem is that at the moment, Pokemon is primarily a handheld franchise, Game Freak has been very clear that they will not develop Pokemon games for a console that is incapable of portability. So the only ways a VR Pokemon game will happen is if either VR somehow makes them change their minds (which I doubt, they're very stubborn about portability) or if we get a Fusion console and God only knows when that would happen (Nintendo has implied that it won't be happening next gen, though).

But yeah, I'd love a VR Pokemon game, that would be really fun. I imagine VR would add a lot to the communication element in particular, imagine the PSS except you can fully interact with other players.

@Deadman Actually, the technology might not be as far off as you might think. The Augmented Reality of the Google Glasses is probably one of the most advanced things the general public has access to. Governments have far more advanced technologies. I have no doubt that the governments' scientists will develop virtual reality technology (for training agents and soldiers and such) by 2035 at the latest. When the public gets that technology might be well into the 2070's, but it'll happen. ^_^

@Bolt the Cat I cannot wait until I can actually put my consciousness into a game. That probably won't happen for at least 50 years, but when it does, sign me up and strap me down to Pokémon Platinum. I need to travel through that game IRL.

I for one hope of a world like the one from the ORAS trailer or the Google Maps Pokémon Master announcement video. None of that Skyrim crap for me. I want my Pokémon in beautiful, cartoony CGI.

 

[Lysson]

If you could do anything you wanted like become a champion, gym leader, join a team and work your way up I'd love it! And going out catching Pokemon first hand and petting them would be awesome!
But I'm still wary of the health and safety behind VR... is it good for your eyes and body? If it is then I hope it happens in my life time.

 

[InkBlotch1]

I think that seems a bit far off although Nintendo has talked about VR in the past. Right now though I wouldnt mind a pokemon game on the Wii U with more choices of what to do.

 

[DoctorWhy]

While it's probably far off in the future, if it happens, yes! Unfortunately, I'll probably be in my 30s at least by the time a perfect VR is made (Similar to the full dive nerve gear VR in the Sword Art Online anime series). Sounds awesome. Just wish I could be younger lol.

But I'm still wary of the health and safety behind VR... is it good for your eyes and body? If it is then I hope it happens in my life time.

Well, depends what kind of VR you're talking about. If we're talking about a perfect VR (like the Full Dive VR as seen in Sword Art Online, which is pretty good and on Netflix by the way), then it doesn't affect the eyes at all really. The full dive VR connects directly to your brain and puts your entire conscience and all your senses into the virtual world so that it even feels like reality. As long as you don't use it for ridiculously long periods of time (and as long as nobody hijacks the system like in SAO to endanger everybody), there hypothetically are zero negative effects to the body, at least no more, if not less, than today's gaming. The kind of full dive gaming VR as seen in SAO (again, disregarding how the hijacked system put people's lives in danger) is what I hope for in my young lifetime (Really hoping, optimistically, for this to happen in the next 10-15 years, but it's unlikely). SAO starts in the year 2022, and the tech had been around for a year or two seemingly. But that's obviously not a super realistic time period given where we are now.

I cannot wait until I can actually put my consciousness into a game. That probably won't happen for at least 50 years, but when it does, sign me up and strap me down to Pokémon Platinum. I need to travel through that game IRL.

Not necessarily. It may sound pretty optimistic, but that full dive type of VR might very well be no more than 20 or so years away. If the current pace of technological advancement in the field is given a bit more support and speed, and given that mind controlled devices for the disabled have been around for years already (like prosthetics and voice control like Stephen Hawking), and the already advancing Oculus and Morpheus with the likely end goal of something like SAO, 20 years or so would be a somewhat reasonable guess. I actually think that 50 years is definitely longer than it will be. Unless something halted its advancement, even 40 years away would be a surprise to me.