A Dota-style Pokemon game is going to be released.
The strategic team-based battle game will be available on Switch and mobile (both Android and iOS).
Pokémon Unite, as it is called, is a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Tencent.
Tencent is a Chinese multinational conglomerate with presence in technology, internet-related services, and entertainment sectors.
It is also the world's largest gaming company, according to a 2018 Bloomberg report.
Level up, learn new moves, and evolve
Pokémon Unite is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game where players battle it out in an online arena in real-time.
MOBA battles usually consist of a 5v5 formation, making it a total of 10 players on the map. Typically, the objective of the game is to invade the enemy team's base to destroy a structure.
For Pokémon Unite, however, the goal of the game is to score more points than your opponents. The "heroes" (characters that players choose to battle as) will be Pokemon characters as well.
As the game progresses, your Pokémon will level up, learn new moves, and even evolve.
From what we can tell so far, plenty of first generation Pokémon are involved.
If you're new to MOBA games, Pokémon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara has said that Pokémon Unite is designed to be accessible and easily picked up, while retaining depth.
Gameplay preview
Here are some exciting gameplay previews.
Selection of characters:
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
The map:
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Team battles and one-on-one fights:
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
If you want to watch a battle, Ishihara has participated in a Pokémon Unite match (from 6:00):
According to Kotaku, however, there is no word on when the game will be released yet.
H/T: Kotaku
Top image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel