After an extended period of anticipation and skepticism, the Pokémon Company has released a new gameplay trailer for Pokémon Sleep, a sleep-tracking app that combines the world of Pokémon with monitoring and improving users’ sleep habits. Despite initial doubts surrounding its development, the app is set to launch in late July, four years after its initial announcement.
While Pokémon Sleep has often been misconstrued as a game, it is important to clarify that it is primarily a sleep-tracking application adorned with Pokémon-themed elements. The app revolves around an endearing Pokémon character known as Snorlax, the epitome of relaxation and slumber. Players can enhance their bond with Snorlax by achieving a good night’s sleep, which boosts their score and enables Snorlax to absorb “drowsy power” from their restful state. As a reward, more sleep-deprived Pokémon will visit users and offer rare sleep styles, fostering an engaging gameplay loop reminiscent of the famous Pokémon catchphrase, “Gotta catch ’em all.”
In addition to sleeping, players can moderately increase their connection with Snorlax by providing it with berries and specialized drinks. However, attracting fatigued Pokémon like Slowpoke and Diglett to their “sleep island” necessitates genuine rest and accurate sleep tracking.
The app incorporates robust sleep-tracking capabilities, leveraging the microphone and accelerometer sensors on users’ smartphones to monitor movements, detect snoring, and assess overall sleep quality. Individual sleep styles appear to influence the Pokémon that pay a visit. For example, a night filled with tossing and turning may prompt Togepi to bestow its “Rocking Sleep” style, while snoring could result in Jigglypuff serenading users with its signature “Singing Sleep” style. The Pokémon Company has not disclosed which Pokémon might appear if users spend the night idly staring at their phones surrounded by potato chips, nor have they clarified the reasons behind the protracted development time for the sleep tracker.
Despite its intriguing features, Pokémon Sleep operates as a standalone application and does not integrate with other fitness or sleep tracking apps. However, it does offer compatibility with the Pokémon Go Plus bracelet, enabling users to initiate sleep tracking by simply pressing a button on the device. Furthermore, employing the bracelet enhances the likelihood of encountering a rare nightcap-wearing Pikachu during the gameplay experience. The Pokémon Go Plus bracelet can be purchased for approximately $30, while the forthcoming Pokémon Sleep app will be available to users free of charge.
As the release date approaches, Pokémon enthusiasts and sleep-conscious individuals alike eagerly anticipate the arrival of Pokémon Sleep. This unique fusion of technology, gaming, and sleep tracking holds the potential to revolutionize how people engage with their sleep patterns while immersing themselves in the captivating world of Pokémon.
Please note that the information provided in this article is based on the available gameplay trailer and may be subject to change upon the app’s official release.
