Pokemon Go creator Niantic is infusing the "real-world" appeal into their new basketball game, NBA All-World, which allows players to challenge each other to games in the street.
NBA All-World lets players choose their favorite NBA stars as avatars and get to meet and play others in the street.
John Hanke, the boss of Niantic, which produces NBA All-World and Pokemon Go, stresses that players of the NBA game will require only a mobile phone, no expensive VR headsets or goggles.
Hank is promoting this hybrid-style game as a "real-world metaverse," distinguishing it from those by Microsoft that require being at home with masks strapped to their faces.
He added that they are supporting what they do in the real world as human beings, like going out to the restaurant and meeting our friends and not staying at home.
NBA All-World will be released this week in France and next Tuesday globally.
Niantic is hoping to cash in with microtransactions -- players can spend small amounts on virtual items that allow them to move through the game faster or customise their avatars with sneakers from brands such as Adidas or Puma.
