Developer Niantic just announced a new mobile game in the form ofPeridot.Peridotis an augmented-reality based virtual pet game, in which players are encouraged to go out into the real world in order to bond with their pets. The game is enticing for fans of the virtual pet genre, but something about this newNianticproject seems all too familiar.
This is because Niantic is also responsible forPokemon GO—a game based in augmented-reality, in which players collect and bond with hundreds of virtual creatures. WhilePeridotandPokemon GOdo have their niches, as based onPeridot’sofficial website, Niantic’s toughest competition is seemingly itself. Compared toPokemon GOor not,Peridotwill have to do a lot to stick out from the countless other mobile games on the market.
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Perks Unique to Peridot
While players may instantly draw comparisons toPokemon GO,Peridotis stated to have multiple unique features that will set it apart. For starters, all ofPeridot’screatures are completely original, as well as unique from one another. Some will resemble real animals, so players will be inclined to hunt out their favorites. On top of this, players will be able to breed their unique species with another player’s, creating an endless loop of creatures to discover and collect.
Other than breeding, the rest ofPeridot’sgameplay sounds like a more in-depth version ofPokemon GO’sbuddy feature. Players can go on walks with their creatures to collect items and take snapshots, and they can stop to play with their pets and even teach them some tricks. Overall,Peridot’sfocus is clearly on caring for collecting pets. This alone helps distinguishPeridotfrom its competitors, catering the game to a more general, virtual pet loving audience.
Pokemon GO’s Success Extends Beyond Its Gameplay
WhilePeridotstrives to be aTamagotchi-like virtual pet game,Pokemon GOis first and foremost aPokemongame.Pokemon GOallows pretty much every 90’s kid to live out their dream of setting out to complete the Pokedex. Brand name and recognition alone are what allowed the game to become a cultural phenomenon back in 2016 — it was certainly not the buggy and bare-bones gameplay at the time.
Six years later, there is a ton more to do inPokemon GO.Collecting every species of Pokemon is still an overarching goal, and, likePeridot,players can bond and adventure with their buddy. There are now battles, raids, encounters withTeam GO Rocket— the list goes on. Even though the game is not as popular now as when it released,Pokemon GOhas set many mobile gaming precedents. As such, any similar game will undoubtedly be measured up against it, especially when it is developed by the same company.
Peridotclearly has its work cut out for it in terms of succeeding on its own as a mobile game. It is a completely new IP, while its direct competitor,Pokemon GO,is based on thehighest-grossing media franchiseof all time. Niantic can usePeridot’soriginality to its advantage, offering players a wholly unique experience.
The seemingly infinite unique creatures inPeridotare a great step in this direction. WhilePokemon GOmay be limited to the creatures introduced in the series' mainline games, each and everyPeridotplayer will have a pet to call their own. By contrast, no one Pokemon is truly unique — eventhe rarest shiny Pokemonare owned by many players. Unique traits like this will have players choosePeridotover its contemporaries.
The real worry withPeridotis in regard to its gameplay. Obviously, the game is not out yet, so it is impossible to truly grasp how it will play, butPeridotseems solely focused on having players raise their own virtual pet. This is great for players who just want that, but a lack of more game modes and things to do will result in a casual fanbase as opposed to the fervent one ofPokemon GO.Hopefully, Niantic has plenty more surprises in store for Peridot.
Starting a brand-new IP is an exciting route for Niantic to go withPeridot,as opposed to its recent games likePokemon GOandPikmin Bloomwhich come from well-known series.Peridotclearly has to impress in order to stand out from its competitors, but Niantic’s success with the genre makes even this daunting task seem doable.
Peridotis now in development.
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