Pokemon Go Beta Tests Coming To United States Later This Month

For the last month or so, ComicBook.com has reported on ongoing beta tests for Pokemon GO, an "augmented reality" mobile app that will allow players to catch and battle Pokemon in the real world. To date, Niantic Labs, the developer of the new Pokemon game, has conducted beta tests in Japan in Australia. However, today Niantic announced that the beta test will be coming to the United States later this month.

#PokemonGO field testing will begin in the US later this month. For more details visit: https://t.co/EhM9zpfF1c

— Niantic (@NianticLabs) May 16, 2016

Fans can go to Niantic's website to sign up for the Pokemon GO beta. Potential testers will need a Google account and a smart phone to be eligible. Niantic also ask participants if they've played Ingress, Niantic's other "augmented reality" game, although it's not a requirement to sign up for Pokemon GO's beta test. Niantic notes that those who are chosen to participate in the beta test will "give users the opportunity to share early feedback and help improve the Pokémon GO experience," but that signing up isn't a guarantee you'll be selected for the beta test.

Regardless of whether you get selected to the beta test or not, this is the surest sign yet that Pokemon GO is nearing completion. The game is widely speculated to come out later this summer.