Pokémon GO continues to work on offering new features and mechanics, surprising the world by revealing the Party Play function. With this feature, users can join a team of players in real-time to complete challenges, missions, and joint tasks. This way, players will have a completely new way to interact in Niantic’s game.
Since the summer of 2016, Pokémon GO has been a mass phenomenon, with varying numbers of players. Social interaction has always been essential while playing, as routes and raids are more enjoyable when shared with others. Now, with the Party Play mode, this social aspect will be more enhanced than ever before.
Party Play, your friends on screen
One of the most striking aspects of this new Party Play is that, for the first time, we will be able to see our friends’ avatars walking alongside us on the screen. However, as Pokémon GO shows on its official blog, this isn’t just a “cosmetic” enhancement of seeing our friends accompanying us; it will also be used to tackle unique challenges.
When our Party Play is active, we can participate in team challenges, allowing us to earn great rewards while working together with our teammates and friends. Capturing Pokémon, engaging in raids, spinning PokéStops, and more challenges can be completed with this mode active. Just remember, you need to reach level 15 to enjoy Party Play!
By scanning a common QR code, you can join your friends in the game.
Pokémon GO, the challenge of becoming timeless
Pokémon GO faces a challenge more significant than it might initially seem. After more than six years of constantly introducing new Pokémon to Niantic’s game, there are fewer and fewer left to be added. There are still methods missing to obtain several Pokémon from the last three generations, including legendaries, but creatures from all currently released titles, including Paldea, are already in the game. Sooner or later, the remaining Pokémon to be added in the game will run out.
With the release of the second part of the Pokémon Scarlet and Purple DLC, new species are not expected in the short term. At the very least, the next generation is not anticipated until 2025 if the current three-year pace is maintained. Therefore, the game needs to find incentives to keep its player base engaged. Party Play seems to be a step in that direction, aiming to retain players without expanding Pokémon GO’s Pokédex.
