Google I/O 2013 - Ingress: Design Principles Behind Google's Massively Multiplayer Geo Game
Brandon Badger Ingress is a massively multiplayer geo game that was recently launched by Google's Niantic Labs. Players move through the real world using an Android device and the Ingress app to discover and tap sources of a mysterious energy. Players acquire objects to aid in their quest, deploy tech to capture territory, and ally with other field agents to advance the cause of the Enlightened or the Resistance in an epic struggle for the fate of humanity. Brandon Badger, is the Product Manager for Ingress. He's been a Product Manager on Google Maps, Google Books, YouTube, and Niantic Labs. He'll be talking about Google's latest efforts to create ""adventures on foot"" using Android and Google's Geo data. The discussion will focus on the the game design principles and techniques used to create Ingress, as well as opportunities to use emerging technologies to create new types of mobile gaming experiences. For all I/O 2013 sessions, go to https://developers.google.com/live
Video Chapters
- 0:00 Agent Briefing: Unveiling the Future of Reality Gaming
- 2:47 From Cave Art to Code: How Tech Drives Gaming Evolution
- 5:34 Your Phone, Your Playground: The Power of Mobile Sensors in Gaming
- 6:44 The Human Impulse to Play: Connecting Minds and Worlds
- 8:45 Niantic's Vision: Transforming the World into Your Game Board
- 12:44 Ingress Unveiled: A Mysterious Energy Blurring Fiction and Reality
- 14:14 Portals Among Us: Turning Real-World Locations into Strategic Battlegrounds
- 18:10 Beyond the Screen: How Cooperation Builds Real-World Communities
- 29:17 Agent Architects: Players Shaping the Evolving Game World
- 33:40 The Power of Narrative: Crafting Deeply Immersive Game Worlds
Original Output
0:00 Agent Briefing: Unveiling the Future of Reality Gaming 2:47 From Cave Art to Code: How Tech Drives Gaming Evolution 5:34 Your Phone, Your Playground: The Power of Mobile Sensors in Gaming 6:44 The Human Impulse to Play: Connecting Minds and Worlds 8:45 Niantic's Vision: Transforming the World into Your Game Board 12:44 Ingress Unveiled: A Mysterious Energy Blurring Fiction and Reality 14:14 Portals Among Us: Turning Real-World Locations into Strategic Battlegrounds 18:10 Beyond the Screen: How Cooperation Builds Real-World Communities 29:17 Agent Architects: Players Shaping the Evolving Game World 33:40 The Power of Narrative: Crafting Deeply Immersive Game Worlds Timestamps by StampBot 🤖
Unprocessed Timestamp Content
0:00 Secret agent reveals confidential Google I/O talk; welcome, agents! 1:05 Enlightened versus Resistance: an unexpected Smurf and Frog gathering. 1:57 Setting ground rules: Ingress is 'just a game', for now, folks. 2:47 Technological leaps inspire new gaming opportunities throughout human history. 3:09 From kicking rocks to digital Pong, human games constantly evolve. 4:04 Transistor logic and Wii remotes: Technology always revolutionizes gaming. 5:34 Smartphones: a toolbox of sensors for the next generation of games. 6:44 Why do we play? Play sparks neural connections and social learning. 8:26 The downside of gaming: evolution to a sedentary, Cheetos-eating gamer. 8:45 Niantic Labs' mission: Get players off the couch, exploring the real world. 9:53 Unchaining ourselves from desks: technology should enhance, not tether. 11:41 Beyond virtual: Ingress unites players, creating real-world community impact. 12:44 Ingress: revealing a mysterious energy influencing our reality, maybe. 14:14 The world is your game board: real-world locations become strategic portals. 17:25 Key lessons: cooperation, balanced mechanics, and rich player experiences. 18:10 Game mechanics matter: encouraging cooperation builds stronger communities. 19:35 Balancing game variables: finely tuning to keep players engaged and happy. 21:30 Cultivating a social experience: real-world friendships improve player retention. 24:12 Rich player progression: from curious newbies to seasoned, gear-wearing agents. 29:17 Players actively shape the game world by submitting real-world locations. 33:40 A rich story: beyond dots and lines, narrative deepens immersion. 36:36 Dedicated fans: game love expressed through tattoos and community art. Timestamps by StampBot 🤖