Google and Taito Resuscitate Space Invaders in the Age of AR – Google

Google and Taito (the company that released the first version of Space Invaders in 1978) have released the new version of the game that brings the alien invaders into the present day and into the real world using augmented reality technology and your mobile device (such as a cell phone).

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology we’ve known about for several years (Microsoft with the Hololens — though this particular headset is considered a mixed reality — was one of the first to support the technology) but after Apple’s Vision Pro headset is introduced, we may see many of the technology’s possibilities realized when we hope it gets into the hands of more consumers.

Technology has a wide range of possibilities – for example in advertising, product promotion, games, etc. Although Niantic has created other augmented reality games, including the Jurassic World-themed game (where players search the world for rare dinosaurs), they haven’t seen the success of Pokémon GO. However, Google is hoping that its partnership with one of the world’s premiere video game developers is the missing ingredient that will make its new augmented reality experience a success.

Announced a day after Google I/O 2023, the game announced several different things, including its intention to expand access to the 3D data it collects to make its maps look more “realistic” through the Google Streetscape Geometry API. Taking advantage of the aforementioned technology, the game Space Invaders: World Defense will be played in the real world and through the screen and camera of the user’s mobile phone (as in the case of Pokémon GO). Aliens will fly down the street, behind buildings, or over rooftops and appear to emerge from holes in the sides of buildings or other structures. As with Pokémon GO, players are encouraged to “explore their neighborhoods to discover new space invaders and earn points by shooting them” as well as “post their achievements on social media using AR avatars as they rise through the ranks in their region”.

Space Invaders: World Defense is available for Android and iOS devices google apps And app store Respectively and compatible with ARCore Supported Devices running Google Android 11 or later and iOS 16 or later Apple OS.