Google Maps's API Is Set to Turn Real Locations Into Video Games
Gameplay experiences created around real-world locations.
Google Maps will be integrating its current API with the Unity video game engine to produce “GameObjects” with augmented reality. The service will translate the apps millions of 3D building renders, roads, and landmarks from 200 countries for developers to turn any real-life location into a customizable world-scale game.
The API is compatible with Google’s ARCore kit, which means indie developers could take the tech to create a wide array of titles. Google has stated:
Game studios can easily reimagine our world as a medieval fantasy, a bubble gum candy land, or a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic city. With Google Maps’ real-time updates and rich location data, developers can find the best places for playing games, no matter where their players are.
The tech can already be seen in mobile titles such as Jurrasic Park Alive and The Walking Dead. In related news, you can play Mario Kart on Google Maps for a week.
