Pokemon Go Is Getting A New Social Feature

Pokemon Go developer Niantic has big plans for the hit Pokemon mobile game this year. On top of detailing the upcoming Pokemon Go Fest 2020 event and announcing its local business recovery initiative, the studio has shared some tidbits on a new feature in the works for Pokemon Go: Niantic Social.

As explained in a blog post, Niantic Social will be a social hub for Niantic games. The studio says it'll launch first in Pokemon Go, and through it you'll be able to see the online status of players on your friends list, as well as your Niantic Profile, which will let you view stats like total kilometers walked and the level you've reached in other Niantic titles like Ingress Prime and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

Niantic hasn't announced exactly when Niantic Social will launch, but the studio says the feature will roll out later this month in time for Pokemon Go Fest 2020. That event takes place on July 25-26. This year, Niantic is turning it into a global virtual experience with new gameplay elements like habitats--themed virtual environments that will rotate every hour and be home to a different assortment of Pokemon.

Leading up to the start of Pokemon Go Fest 2020, Niantic will hold special weekly challenges that all players will be able to complete, even if you haven't purchased a ticket for the event. Completing these will help unlock bonuses and "highly sought after" Pokemon during Go Fest. A new Mythical Pokemon will also make its debut in the game during the event. Tickets can be purchased now in Pokemon Go's in-game store for $15 USD.

In the meantime, there are still a few events lined up for Pokemon Go over the next few weeks. June's Community Day takes place on Saturday, June 20. This month's featured Pokemon is Weedle, and if you can evolve one all the way into Beedrill up to two hours after the event ends, it'll learn the powerful Ground-type Charge attack Drill Run. There's also still time to complete June's Field Research tasks and earn a chance to catch Trapinch, this month's Research Breakthrough reward encounter.