Pokemon Go has taken the world by storm and its success is a result of a perfect match between a world-renowned franchise and some very exciting technology. This augmented reality game allows any player to walk out of their house and have a 3D Pokemon appear in their camera view, thanks to GPS tracking.
The GPS tracking element means that the Pokemon you find will vary depending on where you are in the world. The locations for Pokestops and gyms are based on geographical markers found in Google Maps, and were initially placed in the game world by Niantic using data from their previous game, Ingress. However, the locations of the Pokemon themselves are based on an entirely new data set to Google Maps, which takes into account factors such as terrain type and climate.
Players can use their phone’s GPS signal to pinpoint their location, and then the game uses Google Maps to build the virtual world on their screen. Ninetyk has planted geographical markers everywhere to determine where Pokestops and gyms appear, but the location of the Pokemon themselves is based on a more advanced data set, which is unique to Pokemon Go.
The game leans heavily on the combination of different technologies that are widely available on all smartphones. The GPS tracking and augmented reality feature lean heavily on your camera and phone GPU, while the networking between players once they reach a gym is also a key feature.
The graphics of the game are simple and colorful, but effective, with more advanced 3D rendering seen in other games. However, the real marvel here is the use of different technologies that power the game and turn the world into one giant playground.
It is expected that Nintendo will factor the success of Pokemon Go into their plans for their new NX console, which is heavily rumored to have a handheld component. If we do see GPS tracking on the final spec for Nintendo’s new machine, it’ll be obvious where the inspiration came from.
In conclusion, Pokemon Go has been successful due to its use of GPS tracking, augmented reality, and a unique data set that takes into account terrain type, climate, and other factors. Its success is a testament to the combination of different technologies that have been used to power the game and turn the world into a giant playground.