The Pokemon Company has announced further details about the upcoming cloud service “Pokemon Home” in a press release.
Pokemon Home is intended for the Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android in February 2020. The cloud-based service will have a subscription model and offer a storage system for Pokemon.
The costs for the service were listed as follows:
- 1 month: $2.99
- 3 months: $4.99
- 12 months: $15.99
The app is designed to store Pokemon and move them between compatible games. At launch, the Pokémon Sword and Shield editions as well as Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee will be supported. The well-known Pokemon Go app will be integrated at a later date. A connection to the Pokemon Bank on the Nintendo 3DS should also be possible. The announcement states:
If a user is enrolled in a Premium (paid) plan, they can move Pokémon from Nintendo 3DS Pokémon titles using Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME. Once a Pokémon is moved from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME, it cannot be moved back to Pokémon Bank.
One month free access
To celebrate the launch of the new Pokemon Home application, the Pokemon Company is promising one month of free access for all users. Only after that will subscriptions take effect. In addition to storing and moving individual Pokemon, global trade between trainers will also be possible. The press release states:
There are four ways to trade Pokémon using Pokémon HOME on a mobile device, making it possible to trade Pokémon anywhere, anytime:
Pokémon in the Wonder Box can be traded with people all over the world. Pokémon placed in the Wonder Box can be traded even when Pokémon HOME is not being used.
The Global Trade System (GTS) allows fans to specify which Pokémon they want to trade and which Pokémon they want to receive, and they are then matched with a Trainer if both meet each other's criteria.
Room Trade allows trainers to create a room and trade Pokémon among participants. Each room can hold up to 20 people. Room trading is free, but users can only create rooms if they are enrolled in a Premium Plan (paid).
Friendship Trading allows Trainers to trade their Pokémon with nearby users they've befriended in Pokémon HOME. Trainers can add friends using the "Add Friend" feature in Pokémon HOME.
However, there will be a slight difference between the individual versions. Pokemon trading will be possible within the iOS and Android app, while the Switch version will only allow storing and moving Pokemon. Further information and details about the upcoming app can be found on the official website.The Pokémon Company” website. (Image: The Pokemon Company)
