Alternate Reality Games

Alternate reality games are created by using the real world as a base for the entire game. Over the last decade or so, the internet has given people the ability to interact with a great number of people. Because of this, alternate reality games of become more numerous and it has expanded the possibilities of them.

 For example, Ingress uses a person's smart phone or tablet to allow them to participate in a very large in-depth mix of capture the flag and risk. GPS is also a huge component of Ingress meaning that this game would not be able to have the success that it does now a couple years ago. The fact that millions of people are all playing the same game together or against the other faction is kind of mind blowing. 

Let me delve a little deeper into the mechanics and story of Ingress. There are two different factions: the Enlightened and the Resistance. The Enlightened believe that their actions will push humanity into the next stage of evolution. The Resistance thinks the Enlightened's actions are causing the enslavement of humanity and want to protect human freedoms. The objective of each faction is to get control of the most land. To do this people can make portals but they must link together at least three portals in order to actually control any land. The catch is that your faction has to control each of those portals. The enemy can destroy and take control of one of you portals so protecting your portals is also a high priority. Hacking portals gives you the items the players needs to attack the enemies or protect their own portals.

The game became even more reality because of the huge following it has. The fact that there are Ingress conventions and other types of group meetings just shows you how much this game is really ground in reality.

The technology increase really allowed alternate reality games to fulfill its potential. I am really excited to see what is in the future of alternate reality games with the uses of the oculus rift and google glass or other similar medium.