Angela B. Games 07.18.2023 02:Jul AM EDT

Google, Taito’s Space Invaders AR Game Has Been Released

Back in May, Google and Taito announced a collaboration that will bring the retro game Space Invaders into augmented reality. The game title Space Invaders: World Defense is not available for download on both iOS and Android devices.

Space Invaders: World Defense

Through augmented reality, Google and Taito have brought back the classic from 1978. The game was announced during Google's I/O event this 2023, and the game is finally ready to be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play Store.

People will have to go outside in order to get the best experience with the game possible, also because the game can only function in certain areas. One hitch is that since it's an AR game, it can only be played on ARCore-supported devices.

The technology behind the title is made possible by Google's Streetscape Geometry API, as mentioned in Gizmodo. Through this, the pixel aliens will appear as if they really are part of the environment you point your camera to as you battle them.

The buildings in your area will also play a part in the gameplay. The aliens will be able to hover behind and in front of them. More than that, they will be able to take cover behind the structures, meaning that you won't be able to shoot them.

To add more elements to the gameplay, the invaders will also be able to warp to different locations through warp holes, which means that they could disappear on one end and appear on another, making for a more fun gameplay experience for users.

Players will be able to show off their scores in the leaderboards locally as they are also encouraged to "explore their neighborhoods to discover new Space Invaders and score points by taking them down."

It's the same premise with Niantic's Pokémon Go since players will have to actually go outside in order to play it. Although unlike Space Invaders: World Defense, you won't have to search around as aliens will be big enough to spot.

AR/VR Gaming

Augmented and virtual reality gaming has been around for years, but there are slowly catching up with the standard way of gaming. As tech giants develop gaming devices that are solely for this purpose, developers will soon create more titles for us to try.

According to AR Post, augmented reality is expected to reach a value of up to $274.4 billion by 2027. This is due to the fact that, unlike virtual reality, augmented reality can function with camera devices that support AR without the need to purchase additional accessories.

It also experiments with new ways to enjoy titles, as players will be more immersed when they are engaging with the game. New technological advancements will allow more developers to create better games than we have now.

We can already see how it can revive old favorites and turn them into a more enhanced experience such as Pokémon Go. Although it has since died down compared to its peak, the game is still quite popular today.