Sounds like Google is mastering the art of building up excitement by controlling releases, much like Apple. The next big thing that has people painfully panting is Ingress, a real-world styled MMO which aims to meld the physical world with an imaginary plot.
The brain-child of Niantic Labs reportedly involves a worldwide mind control plot. Since resistance-themed shows are all the rage, it makes sense that players will be allowed to join one of two factions: the Resistance, who fight to retain humanity as-is (or more accurately, as-was), and the Enlightened, who look to leverage the power. Using locales and landmarks as receptacles, people (yes, you and I) use GPS-enabled smartphones to find and gain energy, connect points and tip the scales in favor of their respective factions. The side with the most area connected wins the world.
It’s like geo-caching for Jack Bauer.
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The viral marketing campaign was fairly involved, spawning at least one Reddit page and plenty of online guessing before the “official” announcement was made. Wired magazine suggests that the marketing goes all the way back to July 2012 at Comic Con.
The project is in closed beta, but if you’re on Android, then you can request an invite here. Sign up, and I’ll pretend to be happy if you get in before I do. The accompanying Android app is out; iOS is slated to be released in due time.
Are you game?
Dustin W. Stout says
I’m on iOS… not holding my breath. But I really want in!
Tre Lawrence says
Got my invite last week… seems fun. Factions are already forming…
Eric Dye says
EPIC.
Daniel Milner says
I got in earlier this week. Right now, the game is pretty slow. There are only a few points of interest in my city. I’ve been describing it to friends as “geocaching war games”. You travel to specific locations and either defend or attack depending on who controls the location. I think that the game has lots of potential, but for someone like me, who works an 8-5 job and has a family, I’m not going to be driving around my city every day to each of these locations just to play a game.
Tre Lawrence says
Daniel pretty much nails it on the head for me at this time. I can see the potential, but unless a few more areas are populated with receptacles, driving around might be a chore.
ThatGuyKC says
Dude!! That is awesome. Can’t wait for the iOS app.
Tre Lawrence says
I can’t believe the iOS port hasn’t seen daylight yet, but that may be because of the beta status. Google should have it out soon… Google doesn’t mind releasing its products on iOS before Android if it believes it will get more eyeballs.