Pokémon GO: For the first time, the map will show other players

One of the most desired and loudly requested features by the Pokémon GO community has always been the ability to see players present in the vicinity and active online, a feature that Niantic has never implemented and that, now in the fifth year of the game, keep on hiding. Players can only see themselves on the map, as well as a few NPCs belonging to Team Rocket and little else: the ability to see other players is limited to PvP battles, which are initiated via traditional invitation codes , without being able to meet casually.

Something, in this sense, could change in the near future: in the event dedicated to Kanto within the Pokémon GO Tour, in fact, some selected players will have the opportunity to be seen on the map from other players, as if they were normal NPCs that pop up randomly as you approach them. These matches will work much like those related to Team Rocket's villains: these players will provide their teams of strongest Pokémon, which can be challenged and eventually defeated in order to receive big rewards.

Trainers, we're excited to announce that you'll soon have a chance to appear as a Trainer character in Pokémon GO.

Introducing our #PokemonGOTourContest! We can't-o wait to see your submissions! https://t.co/fRvHhVlLZj pic.twitter.com/i8PKcfSJT4

- Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) January 4, 2021





To confirm the initiative, as you can read above, it was the Pokémon GO Twitter account, which announced a real contest, open to all coaches, which allows - upon application - to be entered as an NPC in the game. To apply, simply send (by 12 January 2021 at 8:59 Italian time) a screenshot of your manager profile, which includes your name and avatar as well as the hashtag #PokemonGOTourContest. Submissions will be judged based on the style and ability of trainers to capture the theme of the event or to coordinate their outfit with the appearance of their Pokémon.

Whoever is chosen will not have the opportunity to play in real time and will not receive notifications every time he is challenged by someone, but if nothing else he will be able to use his own Pokémon from the Kanto region (excluding Ditto and the Legendary or Mysterious Pokémon) and will see his name appear in a restricted list of "privileged" . Who knows that this initiative cannot act as an experiment to extend a similar functionality to all players during the year?

On Amazon Italy you can find Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield including their expansion passes!