Niantic and Nintendo team to develop AR mobile applications

This is the first in a series of joint applications between the two companies, and the game is designed to make walking more fun!

When the two giants jointly create applications that combine Niantic’s real-world AR technology with beloved characters Nintendo, Should it be a success? The first title the two companies co-created was based on Pigmin’s rights, sports activities designed to promote walking and make the process more enjoyable.

The app is expected to launch globally in 2021, with Niantic being the publisher. Established in April 2018, Niantic Development Studio will be the first title created by Niantic Tokyo Studio. John Hankey, CEO of Niantic, said it was natural for the brand to merge with Nintendo as it continues to expand its sports portfolio. . “We look forward to shaping the future of AR together, reviving Nintendo’s beloved game characters for mobile game players around the world.”

Niantic’s AR technology makes it possible to invent the world Pigmin Secretly lived around us. Based on the theme of walking fun, their aim is to provide people with a new experience different from traditional sports. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pigmin franchise, launched in late 2001 on Nintendo’s GameCube. In the fall of 2020 Nintendo re-released the Pigmin 3 as the first Wii U game for the Nintendo Switch.

Since 2016, Nintendo has produced less than 10 games Skills With external partners such as DNA, Psychemes and Line. Shares of Nintendo rose more than 2% when it first traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Of all the smartphone applications related to Nintendo, Pokemon Go is the most successful game, but Nintendo’s revenue share is only part of it, as the game was between Niantic and Pokemon Go in dealing with it. Directly with Niantic, Nintendo to see an increase in revenue from smartphone apps.

Niantic

Niantic has unparalleled experience with Pokemon Go in 2020, the biggest year in the game to date, surpassing $ 1 billion in revenue. During infections, They showed ingenuity With a model of monetization and regression unprecedented for an application. They have made numerous purchases of startups and companies, the last two 6 T.I. And Mayhem. The first, founded in 2017, develops from the Active Vision Laboratory at the University of Oxford, which develops vision technologies and development tools to solve basic problems of vision. Developed truth3D reconstruction, cloud and AR stability.

Second, acquired this year, it brings players together through live interactive experiences. As users gain access to advanced technologies such as sensors Lidar Within the new iPhone 12 Pro, Niantic should have high quality data and deliver a very different experience! Imagine if everyone could find Pokemon habitats in the real world at the same time, or dragons could fly in the sky and land on buildings in real time. Imagine your favorite characters taking us on a tour of your city’s hidden gems, or friends finding personal hints for others and then following.

In 2019, with an estimated $ 4 billion value, Niantic became an incredible success story.