"Pokémon GO" was successfully launched in July, but it's not stopping there. New features are coming to the highly popular augmented reality game to maintain players' interest.
Niantic CEO John Hanke assured "Pokémon GO" players that new features are coming such as regular in-person events, which will allow groups of users to meet up at a specific place and play together, VentureBeat reported. In his recent conversation with TechCrunch editor Greg Kumparak, Hanke said that this in-person event feature mirrors "Ingress," Niantic's previous augmented reality game released in 2012.
Hanke said they are still "waiting for the launch craziness to subside" before working on the in-person events feature, which will be "synchronized" and would act as a "big social get-together," VentureBeat further reported. He also hinted that these special coordinated events will introduce new Pokémon, though the executive didn't say whether those would include Legendary Pokémon: Mew, Mewtwo, Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos.
"Pokémon GO" currently has 150 first generation Pokémon. Hanke said that there are more than 700 Pokémon in the Pokémon universe, so players should expect new creatures to catch in the near future. The CEO, however, said that the release of Pokémon will happen "gradually" and assured that it will excite many players.
Hanke also said that Niantic is exploring the possibility of player-versus-player Pokémon battles in "Pokémon GO." He said that they talk "a lot" about the concept of battling, but they don't have a specific date on which the feature will roll out.
Another feature that is likely coming to "Pokémon GO" is Pokémon trading. With this, players would be able to trade Pokémon they have captured with their friends. This feature was already showcased in Pokémon video games in original Game Boy titles, which was introduced in 1996, Recode pointed out.
In the meantime, "Pokémon GO" players would have to satisfy themselves with the recently released Buddy System while they're waiting for the new features to come in. The Buddy System allows users to pick a Buddy Pokémon to accompany them in their journeys in exchange for Candy.
Here are the best and worst Pokémon to use as Buddies, as previously reported by Parent Herald. Learn about the capabilities and restrictions of your Buddy Pokémon here. Stay tuned to Parent Herald for the latest "Pokémon GO" news, tips, and tricks.
