Pokemon GO Developer Is Working On A Transformers Game
Not content with catching 'em all, Niantic has unveiled its bold plans to expose those robots in disguise with a Transformers video game. While the San Franciso-based developer has made a name for itself with Pokemon GO, it's keen to adapt and continue its winning streak beyond Pocket Monsters and the more recent release of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.
With mobile gaming on the rise, we're no longer limited to playing the likes of Candy Crush or Angry Birds. Combining the booming player base of Pokemon fanatics with emerging augmented reality technology, Pokemon GO broke onto the scene in 2016. Since then, Pokemon GO has continued to soar, and as of 2020, had grossed more than $6 billion in revenue.
Titles like Knightfall AR, The Walking Dead: Our World, and Jurassic World Alive have all done their bit, but nothing compares to the runaway success of Niantic's titles. With this in mind, turning another fan-favourite franchise into an AR game makes perfect sense.
What is the Transformers game from the Pokemon GO developer?
Niantic has confirmed Transformers: Heavy Metal is coming "soon" - with the mobile title expected to debut in select countries through a soft launch later this year. Niantic Chief Executive Officer John Hanke explained, "It’s almost as if it was designed for augmented reality. This isn’t a battle on a distant planet in a galaxy far, far away. It’s about giant robots coming to Earth and having battles in the middle of Los Angeles. For us, giant robots walking around the real world is just too good to pass up".
In terms of what to expect, Niantic's description reads as follows: "In Transformers: Heavy Metal, players will join the Guardian Network, a group of humans who have banded together with the Autobots in a war against the Decepticons. As a Guardian, players will uncover hidden regions across Earth to find resources and battle Decepticons in turn-based battles, either solo or with friends".
Although Heavy Metal is coming from Seattle's Very Very Spaceship, it will use Niantic's signature Lightship platform and AR toolset. There are some Pokemon GO-inspired screenshots that show off the game in action, with the Autobots and Decepticons going head-to-head.
What else is Niantic working on?
Click to enlargeAway from Transformers: Heavy Metal, Niantic has a Settlers of Catan game on the way, as well as a mystery Pikmin project for Nintendo. The latest deal with Hasbro Inc. is a massive leap for Niantic - especially since Transformers is tipped for a big return to the silver screen.
According to Bloomberg, Niantic has around a dozen games in development. Each one will appeal to a different type of gamer. This suggests a Transformers tie-in won't be the only recognisable name.
Whether the Transformers title will be as big a success as Pokemon GO remains to be seen. Pokemon GO's players increased 15% between May 2020 and May 2021, while spending has soared by 49% to search $1.4 billion in the same period. Unfortunately, Wizards Unite hasn't enjoyed the same success as its predecessor. Can the cash cow continue to be milked, or was Pokemon GO a rare fluke? Find out when Transformers: Heavy Metal releases later this year.
Images via Niantic | Paramount Pictures
