The official open test of the AR game "Pikmin" began yesterday in Singapore, according to a Niantic announcement. The new mobile game is currently available on Google Play as the "Pikmin App (Early Access)" and can be played by those living in the region.

Players are prohibited from sharing images or recordings of their gameplay online. However, fans have already shared a portion of the game's FAQ page, which includes details of early gameplay. At this point, the game does not resemble the interactive experience of Pokémon GO, the last AR mobile hit to come out of the Nintendo/Niantic collaboration.

In fact, Pikmin AR is described as encouraging a passive walking experience by allowing users to raise Nintendo's beloved Pikmin characters, find fruit, and collect saplings.

The gist is simple: the more you walk, the more "step energy" you gain, which you can use to grow your own cute Pikmin from seedlings. You can even name your Pikmin and give them nectar to make pretty flowers bloom on the top of their heads.

Now, how do you collect that nectar? The answer, I repeat, is by walking. As you explore your surroundings with your Pikmin, you will find certain fruits, which will turn into nectar. And when a pikmin blooms, it will leave a trail of petals, which will later grow more seedlings, eventually creating an army of pikmin.

Pikmins are really useful and can be sent on expeditions to places where they have already walked to collect more seedlings.

According to Eurogamer, you can also show your flower trail to others, displaying the route you have walked for the past five days, your avatar and your pikmin.

From what is already known, it appears that all seven major species of Pikmin can be encountered in the game, including the Pikmin from Nintendo's latest game: Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, White, Rock and Wing. In addition, by discovering new areas and specific locations, one may also encounter "deco" versions of Pikmin in special costumes.

The concept of the upcoming Pikmin game is different from that of Pokémon Go, but that doesn't mean the new AR app won't be just as big a hit when it launches later this year. After all, what better way to encourage daily aerobic exercise than with cute Pikmin characters?