Niantic announces Peridot, a real-world adventure pet game

Get ready for a whole new adorable adventure

I feel like Niantic is one of those studios you don’t often hear much about, but they’ve been a huge part of the gaming space for the past few years. Their biggest impact was far and away that of Pokemon GO, and culturally speaking, I think it’s safe to say that that was one of the biggest game launches ever. The studio obviously knows what they’re doing, which is why it’s so exciting to see the new projects that they’re working on, which now includes the freshly announced real-world adventure pet game, Peridot.

An imaginative new friend. A story that’s completely yours. Peridot, a real-world adventure pet game where you raise, care for, and breed one-of-a-kind adorable creatures. Pre-register today to stay up-to-date on our development! https://t.co/mMAQke9HiB pic.twitter.com/0RT5FRXC5G

— Peridot (@playperidot) April 13, 2022

The main premise of the game is that you’re raising little creatures called Peridots, with mechanics like petting them, feeding them, playing with them, and teaching them tricks.

With the help of the app’s AR features, you’ll also be able to take your Peridot on walks “wherever you go and discover new places in your local neighborhood,” according to the game’s website. You can also take photos and videos of your outings with your pet to “track all of your memories together.”

Another prominent feature in Peridot will be teaming up with other players to breed new creatures, which will be a mix of “Peridot archetypes.” Apparently, the designs of the creatures are based on animals like cheetahs, dragons, and unicorns, just to name a few.

Honestly, this is a game I’d actually be interested in trying. I’ve been saying for years that someone needs to bring back a Nintendogs-esque game, because there’s a real gap in the market there, and I get the feeling that Peridot might be able to scratch that itch. I’d also love another game that brings everyone outside for a bit, because I think a lot of us would benefit from touching some grass every once in a while, myself included.

We don’t have any kind of a release window for Peridot just yet, but pre-registration is available now with a “soft launch” beta test coming soon in “limited markets.”