Pokémon Co-master, a Digital Board Game, coming to Mobile Devices

Pokémon Co-master is a digital board game coming to iOS and Android this spring (in Japan). The game will pair collectible Pokémon figurines (in game) and established Pokémon mechanics with a strategy board game such as Japanese chess game shogi or Chinese board game Go. According to a press release, players won't just battle CPU-controlled opponents, they'll also receive cooperative help from the game's artificial intelligence to aid them in battle.

The Pokémon Company is collaborating with Heroz Japan to develop Pokémon Co-master. Heroz Japan specializes in AI development and boasts that its software has beaten professional shogi players in public matches. The company's other titles include Shogi Wars, Chess Heroz and BackgammonAce.

Pokémon Co-master will feature online play. The free-to-play board game is announced for Japan only for now.