I went outside for the first time today. Working at home is an easy way to get a bad case of couchlock, so I like to try and get out for little 15 minute breaks when I can.
Today was a bit different. I downloaded and installed a game some buddies of mine are raving about on Facebook: Ingress.
I launched the app, followed the instructions, and was hooked. What started as a 15 minute walk to try out a new mobile game became a 45-minute obsession as I roamed my neighborhood, looking for portals to hack, collecting XMP particles to power my technological takeover, and finding a little feature of my ‘hood I’d never known about before.
Want to get obsessed about a new game? Want to maybe get in a little better shape? Be sure to download Ingress and see what everyone’s talking about.
The conceit is that all kinds of alien portals are appearing around the globe, and you’ve been recruited by one of two shadow factions that want to control these sources of alien energy for their own purposes, nefarious or otherwise.
You’ll choose an agent name and a faction to join (green Enlightenment or blue Resistance), and then you’ll have to head out into the real world to collect white points of light (XMP) to power your activities, and then find, fight, and ultimately own portals. These tend to be around interesting features in your environment, like sculptures, large buildings, or parks.
I captured a portal at a nearby church with no effort at first, but then saw that there were several other portals in nearby vicinities. I got obsessed pretty fast, walking from one enemy-owned portal to the next, attacking the various protector ‘bots with the app on my iPhone, and then trying to hack the portals to gain ownership. I even found one portal attached to a little free library — one I wouldn’t have found if I hadn’t been playing this game.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac
The gameplay mechanics aren’t new: there’ve been plenty of games out (Life of Magic is one notable example) that use real life maps with overlaid game play, but this one seems to be picking up traction. Perhaps that’s because it’s from Google startup Niantic Labs, or maybe it’s just the right time in our collective unconscious.
Either way, you’ll rack up points for your team as you discover new areas of your own town, with daily points from each faction giving you bragging rights. Every portal you capture adds to the global score for your chosen team. If you connect portals you own, you’ll set up “control fields,” which will garner you even more points.
The app is freely available for iOS and Android, and you’re going to want to grab yourself a copy and get outside.
The future of the human race depends on you. And your iPhone.
Rob LeFebvre is an Anchorage, Alaska-based writer and editor who has contributed to various tech, gaming and iOS sites, including 148Apps, Creative Screenwriting, Shelf-Awareness, VentureBeat, and Paste Magazine. Feel free to find Rob on Twitter @roblef, and send him a cookie once in a while; he’ll really appreciate it.
15 responses to “Meet Ingress, your new augmented reality obsession”
L8, 6M
6M AP and only level 8? Man needs some badges!
I do not care, I have REAL life to live. I just play time to time in the bus getting back home from work
L16 since 5 month & stopped playing this month… After 2.5 years it got boring… Now I have again more time for friends and family ;)
You had time for friends and family with the game. It’s your choice how you handle your time. It was better for you to quit because you lacked self-control and time management over the game.
But when your deep in the Resistance / Enlightened then you play with your team. Action here, action there, and sometime late at night, or far far away. When you wife for example does not play Ingress, then playing Ingress is not the best choice ;)
And Ingress is kind of addictive. Don’t underestimate this fact.
And when the Ingress servers (like often) are very busy it get annoying playing Ingress.
The new game that has been out for over 3 years. As for having more time for friends and family by not playing? I’ve made a lot of great friends through this game.
This. I see this as more people can’t control themselves and the time they spend at games. And instead of realizing it’s their own issue they blame everyone and everything else for their failure.
Welcome to team Enlightened, agent!
Playing since Dec/2012. Met a LOT of people, went into some crazy adventures… I think when I get to L16, I`ll retire.
L8 Enlightened here, playing for just over a month. By all means, if you know people interested and don’t want to work on the Recruiter badge, send em my way for an invite! :D
Just hit level 3 as Resistance the other day. It’s quite fun. I have a lot of ENL around me and I’ve only been playing a week. Luckily, a few high level smurfs in my area so they take out the high level ENL a few times a week.
Welcome to the fight! I agree with some of your other comments… it’s up to the player to manage time wisely.
One note, Enlightened at least don’t lie to themselves. We know we’re controlling minds to make the world a better place. The Resistance claims to be saving the world, but they’re just as guilty of using mind control fields. Until there are no more blue fields anywhere on Earth, you’re no better than us! ;p
And the Enlightened has no proof this will be helpful. Until no more green fields exist the world will not be safe! :P
Quick correction on terminology. XM (exotic matter) is the stuff you collect as you walk around. It’s the scattering of little white dots on the “ground”. XMPs are the weapons you use to attack portals. Different things.