Oh, Pokemon Go. We just can’t seem to quit you. Just when the excitement starts to fade, new features or the hint of upcoming updates reel us right back in.
Niantic hasn’t exactly won over the community with some of its decisions, particularly the removal of the original tracking system and its crackdown on third-party apps that attempted to compensate for its absence.
While the latest update didn’t deliver much in terms of immediate changes, it did lay the groundwork for long-awaited features. Now, there’s emerging evidence suggesting these additions might be closer than we think.
Niantic has openly discussed its intentions to improve the game, including a revamped tracking system currently being tested in the Bay Area.
However, the company has remained tight-lipped about other major updates. Fortunately, dedicated data miners on Reddit have been digging through the game’s code, uncovering some intriguing possibilities.
Item Variations
It looks like new items are on the way. According to the latest discoveries, Incense may soon come in three distinct types: “Item_incense_spicy,” “Item_incense_cool,” and “Item_incense_floral.”
The exact differences between these variations remain unclear, but they could impact gameplay in unique ways. Additionally, new berry types might be introduced—perhaps even something like Jazzberries?
Forts?
The term “Forts” has surfaced in the code, leaving many players curious. Developers sometimes use placeholder names internally before finalizing in-game terminology, so it’s possible that “forts” refer to existing gyms.
However, an interesting detail has emerged—players may have the ability to recall Pokémon from these locations, a feature currently absent from gyms, where Pokémon remain until they are defeated.
Legendary Pokémon
A new code line, “Activity_catch_legend_pokemon,” differs from the standard “Activity_catch_pokemon” used for capturing wild Pokémon.
This suggests that catching legendary Pokémon could soon become a reality. While their arrival has long been expected, this discovery indicates they may be coming sooner rather than later.
Trading
Since the game’s launch, players have been eagerly awaiting a trading feature. Although Niantic has remained vague on the subject, newly found code references such as “Trade_search_offer,” “Trade_search_response,” and “Trade_search_result” strongly suggest that a trading system is in development. However, it’s still unclear how the mechanic will function.
PvP Battles
One of the more subtle discoveries involves the term “sfida,” which appears throughout the game’s code. While this may seem innocuous to English speakers, Italian players will recognize “sfida” as a word meaning “challenge, defiance, or dare.”
Many believe this could hint at the introduction of player-versus-player (PvP) battles. If so, we might soon see trainers lining up in real-world locations, ready to battle at a moment’s notice.
As with any data mined from a game’s code, these findings should be taken with caution. Some features may be experimental or ultimately scrapped by the developers.
However, it’s encouraging to see signs of new content in the works. While we wait for these potential features to materialize, let us know what you think in the comments below!
