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Niantic Labs is already working on more AR games

The developer believes more brands could be given the Pokemon Go treatment.

David Craddock

September 6, 2016 1:54 PM

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Niantic CEO John Hanke revealed to Game Informer that several additional AR projects in in gestation (via GameSpot). Moreover, he teased that popular properties could be just as successful on the studio's platform as Pokemon Go has been.

"The Niantic platform is very much a part of our long-term vision and we have some projects that are in the early stages now that will be built on top of it so you can definitely expect to see that from us in the future," he said in Game Informer's October 2016 issue.

Ingress was one such. Pokemon Go, its spiritual successor, has been even more successful, earning over $300 million in net sales in less than two months.

Hanke explained that creating a platform able to support all kinds of brands and games has always been Niantic's strategy. Indeed, the studio's platform is suited to all kinds of experience, not just video games.

Of course, Hanke and his colleagues expect copycats and one-upmanship: a title as successful as Pokemon Go has been is bound to attract competition. Niantic is ready. More than that, the developers welcome innovation in the AR space.

"I think it's healthy. There is definitely room for multiple successful games in the category. I think it is a really fresh area for game designers, developers, and publishers to explore with new kinds of gameplay. It's an area where there can still be a ton of innovation. "It's a positive step for everyone to bring games out into the real word and give people the motivation, the excuse, to get out, get some exercise, see new places, and hopefully have good healthy interactions with other human beings."

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.