Pokémon Pokopia uses persistent 'cloud islands' for multiplayer

Pokémon Pokopia adopts a Minecraft-like approach to shared worlds. Rather than Animal Crossing’s host-dependent islands, the game offers persistent islands that no single player must be online to reach. Koei Tecmo calls the feature “cloud island.” Pokopia chief director Takuto Edagawa explained the system: “There is a different system that is unique to this game called the ‘cloud island,’” Edagawa said.

“This is an island that everyone can create together, and even if the host (the island’s owner) is not online, everyone is free to join and play. If you can’t find the time to meet up and play together, you can still work together to build the island little by little in your free time.” However, only four players can enter an island at the same time.

That limit means groups larger than four will have to wait their turn, which the piece describes as a shame and notes makes cooperative building more arduous than in something like Minecraft.

pokémon pokopia, cloud island, koei tecmo, takuto edagawa, persistent islands, multiplayer, animal crossing, minecraft, four players, cooperative building