Pokémon Go devs tease true multiplayer with four-player co-op

Niantic’s incredibly popular Pokémon Go app seems to be introducing actual multiplayer in an upcoming update. After years of fans behind for true multiplayer support, it may be just over the horizon.

Following years of unsatisfactory updates with predatory monetisation changes and broken routes, Niantic is finally adding a feature that fans have been craving: multiplayer.

Teased on social media, a new image from the game developer shows a standard outside setting with four Pokémon trainers’ shadows stretched across the ground. Another shadow shows a raid tower holding a raid egg, an integral system for the mobile game.

This means than an upcoming Pokémon Go update is likely adding actual multiplayer to its raid system. For example, friends who are playing together may finally be able to party up and tackle gyms, raids and other co-op activities in a group.

In the current version of the game, Pokémon Go only shows your own avatar on the game map. With a true multiplayer update, you would hopefully be able to see your friends and even strangers playing the game on the in-game map and within active gym or raid battles.

This version of multiplayer would be new to the Pokémon spin-off game, but not developer Niantic. In fact, several of these features are already present in the Pikmin mobile spin-off game Pikmin Bloom.

While still an incredibly popular mobile game, at least popular enough to get employees fired, Pokémon Go has had a rough few years. Following dwindling player numbers and an inability to grab the same high revenue it did back in the game’s early years, developer Niantic has been hit with layoffs.

Furthermore, Niantic’s other games have failed to capture anywhere near the audience of its big hit. While games like its Harry Potter spin-off were relatively successful, other games based on properties such as Transformers, Marvel, Pikmin and more have been complete duds.

Alongside Pokémon Go, Niantic is also investing in augmented reality technology, building its own smartglasses tech. The developer believes that it will one day be able to make Pokémon Go and other similar games a more seamless experience with augmented reality glasses.