Pokemon Go Makers Niantic Launches Peridot, a New AI Powered Pet Simulation Game, All You Need To Know

Niantic has just released their latest AR based game, Peridot. It is a pet-simulation game with gameplay, similar to that of its flagship title, Pokemon Go. The game is playable on mobile devices and is now available for free on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Here’s all you need to know.

About Peridot

Peridot is an AR-based virtual simulation game, where you can keep and nurture your pets. Pets here are creatures known as ‘Dots”. They are magical creatures, who were hibernating on Earth, and have now woken up after a thousand years to a whole new world. The Keepers now have to take care of them, which is where you, the player comes in.

In this AR based game, you get to play with your pets, feed them, dress them up and even teach them tricks. Each Dot has a life cycle of its own, as they start of as a baby and grow to become an adult over a certain period of time. Once they become an adult, you can help your Dot get together with other Dots through the in-game social app, Campfire. You can chat with other players and connect with them to hatch and breed a new baby Dot.

The best part about Peridot is that Dots are thinking creatures with a mind of their own. As they get used to the environment that you introduce them to, they will start recognising different terrains, and interact accordingly. The press release mentions,

“Your Dot will recognize where your couch is and make itself at home for an evening nap. It can even recognize TV screens – and Dots won’t hesitate to tell you how they feel about them, especially if it’s interfering with their daily walk schedule.”

Unlike Pokemon Go, outdoor exploration isn’t a mandatory factor for progressing through Peridot. For example, your Dots will have desires, which will prompt you to perform activities with them. Fulfilling those desires is what helps them grow and progress through their life cycles. However, if an activity involves stepping out of your homes, something that you don’t want to do, you can simply wait for a couple of hours for the desires to reset.

Platform and availability

Peridot is now freely available for download on Android and iOS devices via Google App Store, and Apple Play Store, respectively. However, developers Niantic Labs does inform that the “the long term vision is that the experience will ultimately develop into a platform for virtual life on future AR hardware, including wearable MR or AR glasses.”

Director of Production for Peridot, Ziah Fogel says,

“In our chaotic world, these creatures bring a dose of joy, whimsy, and comfort into our lives – it’s the delight of owning a real pet minus the mess. Our goal was to create a cozy game you could take with you on the go that really pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with our AR platform and can inspire a new generation of AR experiences on mobile and future hardware.”