Pokemon Go developer Niantic is set to share the platform it built its groundbreaking game on with others. In fact, it already has.
Recently the company hosted the Niantic Beyond Reality Content. The developer invited 10 indie studios to build new AR experiences using the same tools it created for Pokemon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. $300,000 in prize money was up for grabs.
First place went to Run to My Heart from JC Soft. It’s a mix of fitness app and game in which players run out to save their friends who have turned into potatoes. The app will teach you to pace your running as you scout for potions and eventually battle giant mutant hamsters. As you run, you discover more of the virus that’s putting the world at risk. Check out a video of the eccentric project below.
But there were plenty of other intriguing projects on show. CryptOS, for example, is an AR-hacking game that has you solving cybersecurity problems in the real world.
Wild Sanctuary, meanwhile, aims to bring the wonder of wildlife to your nearest street. You need to gather resources to save endangered species.
Off the back of the content, Niantic is planning to launch a Creator Program. This will aim to further aid the AR development community. Part of its offerings is the Niantic Beyond Reality Fund, which will specifically target new and innovative AR prototypes and experiences. Participants will also get access to Niantic’s AR development kit.
Finally, Niantic also confirmed it’s opening up sponsored location opportunities to small and medium businesses. The idea being you could, say, host a sponsored Pokemon Go space on the day you opened up a new store.
Plenty going on at Niantic, then.
