Pokémon Go took the gaming world by storm last year, proving that users are ready for AR or Augmented Reality.

Even though the term ‘Augmented Reality’ was coined in 1990 by Tim Caudell, the concept of embedding computer-generated videos and images into user environment has been around since 1968. Considering the fact that the AR market worldwide is all set to top $56 billion by the year 2020, industry insiders believe that this technology is likely to dominate both Google Play and App Store through 2018 and beyond.

Initially, AR powered headsets and because it came with a number of vulnerabilities, companies were hesitant to invest in this new technology. However, everything changed when Pokémon Go got more than fifty million downloads within only nineteen days!

Augmented Reality is Changing the Gaming Industry

Augmented Reality or AR is regarded as one of the greatest technological innovation, which has significantly affected the world of mobile app development, especially the gaming industry.

With the use of AR, game developers can add virtual elements to the physical environment either through a head mounted display or a smartphone device. Thanks to this technology, developers are able to make use of real backdrops and fill it in with game characters that are able to interact with the gamers.

The best part about AR technology is that players can play games from anywhere and the experience is always going to be different!

Following the ready acceptance of AR by ardent game lovers, Microsoft is all set to roll out its proprietary HoloLens. This is expected to provide users with a much more enhanced and fluent experience in the physical space around you. Their headset is opined to be superior and advanced than anything else in the market at the moment. Even Google has announced ARCore, which is an AR platform exclusively for Android devices.

With the different operating systems embracing AR technology, it is making game development and mobile game development easier and maximizing the potential of the mobile gaming industry.

How is AR Transforming the Mobile Gaming Arena?

Augmented Reality makes use of computer vision and track through a smartphone’s camera in order to anchor a virtual object with a physical point in your environment. So, the way you move the camera or whenever you move closer or farther away, the object is able to maintain its location and you get a view of the real world in the virtual world. Some of the popular frameworks that developers are using in game development and mobile game development are given below:

• ARCore (Android): Brand new AR experiences are being shaped by Android’s ARCore. This framework can seamlessly alter and harmonize with the virtual and physical worlds. This development ecosystem blends in the real world with the virtual content and shows it to the users, via their mobile devices with the help of light estimation, motion tracking and an in-depth understanding of the environment.
• Vuforia (Unity 3D): Unity developers are able to develop games having engaging, immersive AR experiences thanks to Vuforia. The technology is redefining gaming experience in new perspectives and ways. With the help of Vuforia, it is easier to create AR-enabled games that are compatible with a wide range of handheld and head-worn devices running on both iOS and Android
• ARKit (iOS): ARKit comes with iOS 11, which is a framework that enables developers to create unmatched AR experiences for iPhone and iPad. Utilizing the ARKit, gamers can definitely push their gaming experience to immersive and beautiful places.

In the gaming industry, AR is getting implemented deeply in different categories, such as:

• Shooting games
• Strategy-based games
• Sports games
• Geo-located based games
• RPG games
• Table and card games
• Casino gambling games
• Quest games

With the implementation of AR technology in game development, users are able to enjoy playing virtual games, which feel very much like real-life games. Since the lines between virtual and physical world is blurred in AR, gamers get a much more engaging and interesting experience. From creating strategies to fighting with enemies, building cities to scoring goals, AR allows gamers to feel like they are live in action and not just a mere spectator.

What are the Benefits of Augmented Reality for Games?

• AR provides developers the perfect opportunity to push their creativity levels and create best-in-class gaming experiences.
• The technology provides unparalleled reliability.
• Advanced vision is generated thanks to the advanced technology.
• Different varieties of 2D, as well as, 3D models and games are supported thanks to the AR technology.
• Offers a completely different and captivating gaming experience that has the potential to even attract non-gamers into the trend.

At the rate that AR technology is growing, it would be a shame for game developers to not make use of this technology. Industry experts have predicted that by 2021, the global AR gaming market is going to increase by approximately 151.4%.

Even though AR was introduced some years ago and it is still in a developing stage, it continues to create ripples across the gaming industry in the world. Not just gaming, but AR can be implemented in all aspects of life. If reports are to be believed, even Facebook is working on a platform that will offer support to AR games with location-enabled features.

It is believed that AR will change the way smartphones are used forever. This technology alone has the potential to enhance the potential of mobile gaming. As mobile developers inch closer to making better use of AR, the possibilities of gaming applications becomes even bigger. Anybody wanting to make their name in the mobile gaming market can do so by utilizing this technology. Even the drabbest games can be brought to life by implementing Augmented Reality. So, if you have an idea for a game and wish to explore more, speak to mobile game developers and find the best way to utilize the AR technology. Do your due diligence and carry out a market survey before commencing the development process.