Augmented Reality Games of All Time

From the digital realm to the physical world, the future of gaming lies in augmented reality (AR). The interactive nature of AR games comes second to none and is a great shift from the screenplay we are used to on our consoles or PC. With AR, your neighborhood or backyard becomes a battleground or a portal to another dimension—something like a scene from a sci-fi movie.

Even though the earliest evidence of AR games dates back to the late 20th century, with titles like The Invisible Train and ARQuake, it was around 2015 that the industry jumped into the spotlight. Big companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple started having a keen interest in augmented reality and developed AR technologies like ARKit Technology and ARCore.

It was after 2015 that we started seeing AR games unlock a new level of immersion and attract millions of downloads. Most of these games are free at the Google Play Store and App Store.

Pokémon GO

No augmented reality games list would be right if it didn’t start with the popular Pokémon GO. With over 750 million downloads, Pokémon GO is the largest AR game ever, and it takes you on a quest to hunt Pokémon in the real world. Your smartphone will be your loyal Pokédex as you move around the real world, capturing, battling, and training Pokémon.

The game heavily uses your phone’s GPS to track your location and show Pokémon on a map. As you explore your surroundings, visit parks, and walk along streets, a Pokémon will jump from the screen into the real world. You’ll also come across Pokéstops, landmarks in your area where you can collect Poké Balls and other special tokens.

Walking Dead: Our World

Switching gears from the adorable realm of Pokémon to the world of the undead, Walking Dead: Our World is a well-known augmented reality game based on the Walking Dead franchise. It is a location-based AR game whose main goal is to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies rule.

To survive, players must collect resources, set up shelters, and defend themselves from zombie attacks. The game also has location-based events where players must unite and raid safe zones to combat zombies. Even though the game was released in 2018, it continues to be a popular choice to date.

Jurassic World Alive

The Jurassic World franchise needs no introduction as it has generated over $5 billion in revenue and either got most of us excited or spooked about dinosaurs. Through their Jurassic World Alive AR game, players can capture and train dinosaurs in the real world.

It’s a thrilling experience for those interested in dinosaurs as these prehistoric and majestic creatures come to life right before your eyes, towering over homes and laying their claws on the streets. To play the Jurassic World Alive game, you’ll first need to download the app on your Android or iOS device, then you can put on your brave face and explore the ancient world of the Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor.

Ghostbuster Afterlife

Get ready to join Dr. Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, and Egon Spengler on an eerie adventure to rid the world of ghosts. If you are a fan of the Ghostbusters movies, then the Ghostbuster Afterlife scARe game would be right up your alley.

Grab your proton pack, and don’t forget your ghost trap as you capture ghosts in your living room or those lurking in dark corners and haunted locations in your neighborhood.

Beyond Video Games

Even though augmented reality is quite popular in video games, other game genres can make their gaming experience even more immersive thanks to AR technology. Online casinos are experimenting with augmented reality in games such as slots and live dealer titles to replicate a brick-and-mortar gaming experience. If successful, players will spin reels for real money in an interactive environment.

Sports betting is another popular niche that has well been embraced by people all over the world, including the UK. The UK sports betting market is worth billions, and so is the AR/VR market in the country, which provides an ideal opportunity for collaboration. AR can greatly change how players experience live betting in some of the best UK betting sites. Sportsbooks will provide an interactive overlay of a live match broadcast, and bettors can view stats and odds and place wagers through their AR-enabled smartphone or headset.

As technology continues to break new barriers every day, Artificial Intelligence being a good case in point, AR gaming will become mainstream one day. Its immersive and interactive nature is unbeatable.