Location Based Gaming

In recent times... well in times since the release of major titles such as Ingress and Pokémon Go, developers around the world have been attempting to come up with the next biggest location based game for us all to play. Here I have quickly listed a handful of the GPS games that are currently available, as well as a brief description for each one, to serve as an introduction. Where possible I have linked more in-depth articles for a couple of the games, just in case there is interest.

1. QONQR

In QONQR, a class IV artificial intelligence of the same name has been discovered, spreading across the internet. It's true intentions are unknown but it is clearly powerful. Three factions fight over population centres across the globe to use QONQR to their own ends. First is the Legion, who simply want to capture and then destroy the advanced AI. Next is the Swarm who believe that QONQR's intellect and technology shall bring about a new age of prosperity. Finally the Faceless, a loosly organised militant faction that want to make use of QONQR'S technologies to their own ends.

From the first of every month is an event called Atlantis. where the three factions fight over zones across the three districts of Atlantis each district has six zones with the zone Atlantis Prime in the centre. The faction with the most zones held at the end of the 5-10 day period wins ten million qredits split between the players in the top 100 of total bots launched.

Here's a link to a more in-depth article on QONQR.

2. Hacker Go

Hacker Go is a fairly simple to play yet hard to master GPS game for android. Essentially the player has to collect Bots to use in attacking and capturing objects on the map. As well as gathering cash to purchase upgrades that increase attack strength and speed, as well increase AOI range amongst others. It is also possible to join a clan which allows access to all clan owned objects as well as your own. The overall aim of the game appears to be to capture as many "objects" as possible either for yourself or your clan. In my opinion there is a lot of work to be done to make Hacker Go a truly immersive experience, but so far it is very well-rounded GPS game that anyone can pick up and play.

3. Apocalypse Hunters

Similar to other monster catching games, Apocalypse Hunters has only one major difference in play style... the catching of the monsters. Which is not simply throwing a ball and hoping for the best as it is in other games. Here you play a battle card game against monsters (cards) on the map or in the arena. When battling what's on the map, if you win you get the card of the monster you battled to use in your deck for future battles. When you feel you have collected all the different cards for the chapter you are on, you can fight in the arena to gain stars and unlock further chapters. As each chapter unlocks more different cards for you to collect.

4. Draconius Go

Draconius Go is a 'mon catching ARG that has strong similarities to Niantics and Pokémon Go. The twist is that the developers (Elyland) built the map from the ground up and are forever improving on the POI algorithm so that everyone, everywhere will always have something to keep busy. Whether that's completing quests, hatching eggs or visiting the mother of dragons, this is a big contender on the market.

For a more in-depth introduction follow this link.