Pokemon Go studio Niantic is making a mobile Monster Hunter game

Capcom and Pokemon Go studio Niantic are teaming up for a new mobile game based on Monster Hunter.

Monster Hunter Now, which is set for release in September, offers players ” an approachable hunting experience that can be enjoyed as part of everyday life”, according to Capcom.

As in Pokemon Go, the game will use data from the real world, using location-based technology and augmented reality to encourage players to explore their real-life surroundings.

“In the game, players take on the role of hunters and embark on an adventure during which they hunt vividly lifelike monsters that appear in the real world,” Capcom says.

Players will be able to team up with others for hunts, and can also choose to hunt monsters while the app was closed later in their spare time.

Although Monster Hunter Now is set to launch in Sepotember 2023, a closed beta will start on April 25. Players can register to participate on the game’s official website.

Monster Hunter Now isn’t the only mobile Monster Hunter game currently in development.

In November, Capcom announced that it was partnering with Tencent’s Timi studio to create a separate Monster Hunter game for mobile devices.

The pair said the in-development game will reproduce the hunting actions that define the Monster Hunter series while offering players a new game experience unique to mobile platforms.

Like Niantic, Timi also has a relationship with The Pokémon Company – it developed 2021 Switch and mobile release Pokémon Unite. Last May it also announced a strategic partnership with Xbox.