Some of our readers may have experience with practices like laser tag or paintball, but augmented reality is knocking at the door, and the first-person games are about to change. Today we’ll take a look at the Father.io project, through which the goal is to develop a massive multiplayer title and combine the best of augmented reality with a dedicated accessory for our smartphones, which in turn transforms them into simulated weapons.
Augmented reality still needs to find practical applications, and the concepts that tried to expand on that idea never left their advertising phase. Now, moving to the world of video games, we can discover much broader progress. One of the first examples that comes to mind of augmented reality games is Ingress, with millions of participants around the globe. Mobile devices allow us to reach a completely different dimension when playing online, and if we add digital objectives that can only be seen through the camera of a smartphone or tablet, player engagement becomes even greater. That said, let’s make way for what could well be called the “the next generation” in augmented reality games:
The Inceptor: A Real-Life Laser Tag Accessory
Father.io presents itself as the first FPS in real life, or rather, a kind of laser tag with augmented reality. In addition to installing the application on a compatible device, the player must connect the “Inceptor”, a small accessory with a 50-meter range that can be attached to smartphones, phablets, and tablets as long as they don’t have a screen larger than 5.7 inches. The Inceptor is also loaded with half a dozen sensors that detect shots from other players. However, there’s more: using the Inceptor is not mandatory, and each player can capture special regions of their city, develop virtual constructions to defend them, and use drones as air support. To top it off, those who own an Inceptor can organize a “deathmatch” on the spot locally, even in the same office.
Crowdfunding Success and Pricing
To say that Father.io captured the interest of gamers is an understatement. Its Indiegogo campaign aimed for just $50,000 to start its next phase, and with two weeks to go, it already has almost $300,000. The most economical way to get into Father.io is by downloading the free app, but anyone who wants an Inceptor will have to pay $50 for a two-unit pack. The first deliveries are at the end of next summer.
