Google’s Niantic is upping the stakes in alternate reality (AR) gaming with a new part of its Endgame series coming out. “Endgame: Proving Grounds” will be based on the same basic AR concepts, game players going to real-world places to get items and finish objectives that have consequences within the game. But the stakes are higher, and Niantic is determined to make AR a big thing in gaming, as opposed to the niche market that it is right now.
If there is one thing that we can say about Endgame, it is ambitious. It is based on the Endgame books written by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton, using proven young adult formulas – because they work. The storyline concerns a dozen ancient bloodlines – both in the books and will be carried by the “game” that will ultimately end up determining the future for humanity. Quite like “Hunger Games” but with bigger stakes.
The game runs with the same assumptions as with Niantic’s earlier AR game “Ingress”. At the beginning of the game, users will be asked to select a “line” (Endgame’s in-world term for a faction, as in “ancient lines”), which they will be a supporter/soldier for that line. Players will go around real world locations and secure them. When players secure a key location, they are given access to weapons and loot. Weapons and items have alignments as well, so if you get a weapon aligned to your line, damage is greater and bonuses are higher.
Other lines will challenge you for control of that location, and you can accept to fight if you are online. If a player is not online, either the AI will control your character or another line member who is available might fight for you.
The game is pretty big in concept. If you want to start now, better read up on the mythos of game over at the Ancient Societies site, particularly on their how-do-I-start checklist. The beta of the new game should be coming out soon, although Niantic still has no details on the timeline. Watch the videos we posted and the ones on the Youtube channel to learn more.
VIA: SlashGear
