It’s getting closer. It’s been sort of like making a big meal for your friends or family. We have been sweating the details in the kitchen and now we are anxious and excited to share our creation with you.

Some of you have been in the kitchen with us. You’ve have done a great job of guiding us so far. Across Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Pokémon GO field testers have been collecting and battling with impressive regularity and we’re learning a lot from them. And today, we’re expanding that field test to the United States to get more feedback to improve the game.

It’s been exciting to hear stories from our testers as they explore the world around them in their quest to collect Pokémon and recently we’ve added a ton of new features to expand gameplay even further. Trainers can now help Pokémon evolve, opening up a whole new area of gameplay. Trainers can also find and collect Pokémon Eggs in addition to fully grown Pokémon. Trainers will get a good workout as you must walk a preset distance in order to hatch the Egg and find out what Pokémon will emerge. Incubators are provided to help with this process.

Trainers also will encounter Pokémon Gyms at real-world locations. Pokémon Gyms are special locations where Trainers can test their Pokémon in battles as they compete to win control of the Gym for one of three Pokémon Trainer teams. Empty Gyms are claimed by a team when a Trainer places a Pokémon there to claim it. Friendly Gyms grow in prestige when their defending Pokémon are trained in battles. Higher level Gyms have room for more Trainers to deploy Pokémon to defend them. Rival Gyms can be challenged by Trainers who can use their Pokémon to attack the defending Pokémon. Groups of players can work together to challenge rival Gyms.

Fun fact - After many hours of field test gameplay, the Venusaur hasn’t been spotted yet. Who will be the first field tester who catches or evolves their Bulbasaurs or Ivysaurs into Venusaur? There’s much to explore and many Pokémon to find! :)

Our team is learning and iterating, and we can’t wait to share Pokémon GO with everyone. Stay tuned for more details.

-- The Pokémon GO Development Team

Throw the Poké Ball to catch. Hurry or they’ll get away!

Place your Pokémon in an empty Gym to defend it.

Team up with your friends to take down stronger rival Gym faster.

You can choose to battle in AR Mode too.

Catch many Pokémon of the same type to evolve them.