Pokemon GO to get live AR multiplayer feature, called Buddy Adventure

Even though it’s over three years old, Pokémon GO still has a loyal fanbase. That’s mostly because of the game’s impressive augmented reality (AR) tech that blends 3D models of the pocket monsters into real-world environments. Things just got more exciting for the title. Pokémon GO is about to get a huge update in the near future: live AR multiplayer.

The new feature, which is currently called Buddy Adventure, will allow players new ways for players to interact with their Pokémon. By using real-time AR networking tech, Buddy Adventure will allow multiple players to interact with a single AR Pokémon in real-time.

It looks like the feature will be limited to two players at first, but both players can interact with the other’s Buddy Pokémon through their phone cameras. Best of all, Buddy Adventure will be cross-platform. This means an iPhone user can interact with an Android user’s Pokémon and vice versa. 

There isn’t a set release date for Buddy Adventure. Even the name “Buddy Adventure” is a working title. However, Niantic hopes that the feature will be “a step towards the realization and one of the first consumer implementations of multiplayer AR experiences beyond a tabletop.” 

Do you still play Pokémon GO? Are you excited at the chance to virtually pet a friend’s Pokémon? Let us know in the comments.