Introduction:

Location-based augmented reality (LBAV) games have been around for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until the release of Pokémon Go that they really caught the attention of the general public. However, before Pokémon Go there was another popular LBAV game called Ingress, created by Niantic. In this article, we will take a closer look at Ingress and how it paved the way for GeoAR, which is essentially an upgraded version of Ingress that has been incorporated into Pokémon Go.

Ingress: A Brief Overview

Ingress was launched in 2012 by Google-owned Niantic as a multiplayer augmented reality game. The objective of the game is to capture "portals" and link them together, creating virtual "fields" that can be used to power up or down enemy teams. Ingress is played by two teams: the Resistance and the Enlightened. Each team has its own mission to complete, which involves capturing portals, controlling fields, and defending against attacks from the other team.
Ingress was a massive success, with millions of players around the world joining in on the action. The game’s popularity led to the creation of "real-life" meetups and events where players could come together and play the game in person. Ingress even inspired some fans to create their own fan art and merchandise.
However, one of the major drawbacks of Ingress was its limited appeal. The game required a lot of time and effort to learn, and not everyone was willing or able to commit to it. Additionally, the game’s graphics were quite basic, which made it difficult for some players to immerse themselves in the experience.
Ingress Paves the Way for GeoAR
Despite its limitations, Ingress laid the groundwork for geolocation-based augmented reality games. Niantic used the technology and mechanics of Ingress to create Pokémon Go, which has since become one of the most popular mobile games in history.
One of the key features that made Pokémon Go so successful was its ability to combine real-world locations with virtual gameplay elements. This allowed players to explore their surroundings while also participating in a fun and engaging game.
In addition, Pokémon Go incorporated a lot of the same features that made Ingress popular, such as capturing virtual objects and battling other players. These features helped to create a sense of community among players, which contributed to the game’s success.

GeoAR: A Step Up from Ingress

GeoAR is essentially an upgraded version of Ingress that has been incorporated into Pokémon Go. It allows players to see virtual objects and creatures in their real-world surroundings, making it easier for them to engage with the game’s environment.
One of the key features of GeoAR is its ability to use a player’s phone’s camera to create a more immersive experience. This allows players to see virtual objects and creatures in their real-world surroundings, making it easier for them to interact with the game’s environment.
In addition, GeoAR has introduced new gameplay mechanics that make it even more engaging than Ingress. For example, players can now battle each other using virtual creatures, which adds a new level of excitement to the gameplay experience.
GeoAR also has a lot more interaction with real-life elements, like buildings and landmarks, making the game more immersive and realistic. This allows players to engage with their surroundings in a fun and interactive way.

Case Study: Ingress vs GeoAR

To better understand how Ingress paved the way for GeoAR, let’s take a closer look at two case studies: one from Ingress and one from GeoAR.

Ingress Case Study:

In 2015, Niantic launched an event called "Anomaly at the National Mall" in Washington D.C. During this event, players were tasked with capturing a virtual object called "the cube." The event attracted thousands of players from around the world, who came together to participate in the game and explore the National Mall.
The event was a huge success, with players reporting that they had a great time exploring the National Mall and interacting with other players. However, one of the major drawbacks of the event was its limited appeal. The event required a lot of time and effort to learn, and not everyone was willing or able to commit to it.

GeoAR Case Study:

In 2016, Niantic launched an event called "Pokémon Go Fest" in Chicago. During this event, players were tasked with capturing a virtual object called "the legendary Pokémon Articuno." The event attracted millions of players from around the world, who came together to participate in the game and explore the city of Chicago.
The event was an even bigger success than the Ingress event, with players reporting that they had a great time exploring the city and interacting with other players. However, unlike the Ingress event, Pokémon Go Fest attracted a much wider audience, thanks to the game’s popularity and the appeal of its virtual objects and creatures.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Niantic’s Ingress laid the groundwork for geolocation-based augmented reality games. The game’s limited appeal and basic graphics paved the way for GeoAR, which has since become one of the most popular mobile games in history. GeoAR incorporates many of the same features that made Ingress popular, such as capturing virtual objects and battling other players, but also adds new gameplay mechanics and immersive elements to create a more engaging experience.
The success of events like Ingress’s "Anomaly at the National Mall" and Pokémon Go’s "Pokémon Go Fest" demonstrate how geolocation-based augmented reality games have the potential to bring people together and engage them in fun and interactive ways. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in this field.

FAQ:

Q: What is Ingress?

A: Ingress is a multiplayer augmented reality game created by Niantic that was launched in 2012. The objective of the game is to capture "portals" and link them together, creating virtual "fields" that can be used to power up or down enemy teams.

Q: What is GeoAR?

A: GeoAR is an upgraded version of Ingress that has been incorporated into Pokémon Go. It allows players to see virtual objects and creatures in their real-world surroundings, making it easier for them to engage with the game’s environment.

Q: What was the Ingress event “Anomaly at the National Mall”?

A: The Ingress event "Anomaly at the National Mall" was launched in 2015 by Niantic. During this event, players were tasked with capturing a virtual object called "the cube." The event attracted thousands of players from around the world and demonstrated the potential of geolocation-based augmented reality games to bring people together.

Q: What was the Pokémon Go event “Pokémon Go Fest”?

A: The Pokémon Go event "Pokémon Go Fest" was launched in 2016 by Niantic. During this event, players were tasked with capturing a virtual object called "the legendary Pokémon Articuno." The event attracted millions of players from around the world and demonstrated the popularity and appeal of geolocation-based augmented reality games.