Niantic’s next mobile game will be similar to Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go developer Niantic has admitted that part of its strategy in creating the successful game was building a foundation from which similar titles can be launched.

In other words, expect similar games to Pokemon Go to emerge from the studio, and in the not too distant future, too. In fact, work on its next project is already underway.

[It’s] always been our strategy to build up a platform underneath a game that can be used for other games, and frankly other experiences that may not exactly be games, but are still within that area of exercise, discovery, and social interaction," Niantic CEO John Hanke said in the latest issue of Game Informer, as reported by GameSpot.

"The Niantic platform is very much a part of our long-term vision and we have some projects that are in the early stages now that will be built on top of it so you can definitely expect to see that from us in the future.

There is definitely room for multiple successful games in the [AR and geolocation] category. I think it is a really fresh area for game designers, developers, and publishers to explore with new kinds of gameplay. It’s an area where there can still be a ton of innovation.

"It’s a positive step for everyone to bring games out into the real word and give people the motivation, the excuse, to get out, get some exercise, see new places, and hopefully have good healthy interactions with other human beings."

The question for Niantic is how much of Pokemon Go’s success was down to the license and how much was down to the experience. This is a question that could well be answered with whatever release is to follow next.