Pokemon Go developer Niantic has been given a big cash boost that could help to improve the game.
Niantic has managed to secure an additional $200 million in funding, as companies like Spark Capital, Founders Fund, Meritech, Javelin Venture Partners, You & Mr Jones and NetEase invest cash.
According to a new report in The Wall Street Journal, the funds will help Niantic make long-term investments in augmented reality.
This will not only benefit Pokemon Go, but will also boost the technology used in upcoming AR game Harry Potter Wizards Unite.
As part of the deal, Spark Capital’s Megan Quinn will join the Niantic board.
“We are very, very excited to welcome the Niantic Labs team to the Spark Capital portfolio,” Quinn tweets. “We believe John Hanke & the team are building an incredibly important company at the intersection of AR and real world location.”
The news comes as Niantic makes Ho-Oh available in worldwide raids.
“Congratulations! We issued a challenge – and you answered the call,” reads a Niantic post.
“Collectively, you caught over 3 billion Pokemon during the Global Catch Challenge, unlocking some amazing rewards along the way.
“But that’s not all… As a result of all your hard work, Ho-Oh is now appearing in Raid Battles at Gyms around the world until December 12, 2017.”
To make battles a little easier, Pokemon Go fans can currently pick up Super Incubators for 200 PokeCoins, Special Boxes for 380 PokeCoins and Ultra Boxes for 880 PokeCoins.
Costing only 50 PokeCoins more than regular Incubators, Super Incubators can be used to speed up egg hatch rates.
Special Boxes, meanwhile, contain 20 Great Balls, six Lucky Eggs, four Lure Modules and one Premium Raid Pass.
Finally, Ultra Boxes come with 16 Lucky Eggs, four Premium Raid Passes, eight Lure Modules and a whopping 30 Ultra Balls.