Every version of Pokémon is about players using pocket monsters to battle other trainers. Well, every version except Pokémon Go, which conspicuously lacks the capability to let you go head-to-head with another player.

Game developer Niantic promised this feature would arrive before the end of the year. The company suggested today that the wait is almost over.

Pokémon Go rocketed to massive popularity in 2016, but interest waned. Players enjoyed using the augmented reality features of the game to find virtual creatures in the real world, but there wasn’t anything to do with the resulting collection. And where’s the fun of trapping innocent forest creatures if you can’t force them to fight each other?

Trainer battles at last

In August, Anne Beuttenmüller, head of product marketing for Niantic, said the company hoped to have player-versus-player engagements working by the end of 2018. 

This morning, a message appeared on the official Pokémon Go Twitter saying, “Get prepared… Trainer Battles are coming soon to Pokémon Go.”

“Soon” is a very elastic timeframe. The feature could indeed come by the end of this year. Or maybe it won’t land until early 2019.

The current version of the game is available for iOS devices and for Android as well.

Get prepared… Trainer Battles are coming soon to Pokémon GO❗ #GOBattle pic.twitter.com/AUWyhNGlT7

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) November 30, 2018

Via: TechCrunch