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A version of Pokémon Go is heading to Apple Watch, Niantic CEO John Hanke revealed during today's Apple event. The mobile smash hit will be playable on Apple's smartwatch later this year.
This version of the game is based on activity goals set by the player. During a walk, it registers the distance and calories burned. Players can also collect items, visit PokéStops and attempt to catch eggs as they travel along. All of this is communicated on the watch's screen with a simple user interface. A summary screen at the end of the walk will detail all of the items collected during the walk, as well as how much you exercised.
Hanke previously told Polygon that the game wasn't in the works for smartwatches.
"I'd say we're still kind of waiting for a killer device," he said in late 2015. "I think people are getting closer, both Apple and other manufacturers will get to something super useful and adopted, but I'm not sure we're there yet."
The company is developing a peripheral that allows similar connectivity for non-Apple Watch owners, the Pokémon Go Plus. That's headed to retail later this month and will cost $34.99.
