'Pokemon Co-master': The Pokemon Company announces new smartphone video game for Spring 2016

The Pokemon Company announced in a post on its official website the launch of "Pokemon Co-master," the newest smartphone video game being developed by Tokyo-based Heroz, some time in spring 2016 for iOS and Android. The game is a strategy battle board game that will feature several Pokemon, including the popular Pokemon Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle.

Though there is no detailed information available about the game, the post (which is in Japanese and can be translated via Google Translate) noted "Pokemon Co-master" will allow players to collect a combination of Pokemon figures with different features, and the goal is to stay ahead of opponents. "Pokemon Co-master" is a game where Pokemon will also meet the artificial intelligence (AI).

It also looks like this free-to-play game could feature some form of NFC communication, which is similar to amiibo.

Heroz is well-known for using AI. It has created an AI that has defeated professional shogi (Japanese chess) players in exhibition matches. Heroz also develops intellectual games for smartphones.

"Pokemon Co-master" is expected to be released in Japan in spring, but there is no information yet on a Western release.