![]() However you will need to check your user's location before showing them their nearby points of interest. Once you have a database of interesting locations and a base map on which to place them you have the basic requirements for your game. If you want to create your own map style based on OpenStreetMap data then you could always use Mapbox Studio. Mapbox and Mapzen have both written recent posts about how you can create a base map similar to that used in Pokemon Go. The disadvantage of using Google Maps is that you only have limited options for creating your own map style. If you also want to build upon the success of Google Maps you could use the Google Maps API, the Google Maps API for Android and the Google Maps SDK for iOS. Pokemon Go appears to be using Google Maps for its base map of streets and location data. ![]() For example (copying Niantic's preference for places of cultural interest) you could use the Overpass API to download the locations of all buildings in a city tagged 'museum' and 'gallery' to build a database of museums and art galleries. Using the Overpass API you can select and download OSM map data. If you don't want to start from scratch you could always use something like Google Places or Mapzen's Who's on First gazetteer.Īlternatively you could use OpenStreetMap data. So how do you create a database of POI's? It means that when players visit real-world locations while playing Ingress or Pokemon Go there is usually something interesting for players to see. This is important to the success of Niantic's location based games. This has enabled Niantic to extend their database of interesting places - particularly in areas which lacked data in the original game.Īt the heart of Ingress' original database were locations which had some 'cultural' interest. Players of Niantic's Ingress were encouraged to submit points of interest to the game. Niantic Labs began as an internal start-up at Google, Therefore it is safe to assume that the original data behind Ingress and Niantic's earlier mobile guide 'Fieldtrip' (showing nearby places of interest) came from Google Maps. Niantic's database of points of interest comes from users of Niantic's Ingress game. ![]() In essence Pokemon are mapped to particular locations in the real-world based on Niantic's database of points of interest.Īt a basic level features in Pokemon Go are mapped like this: At the heart of the game, however, is the placement of Pokemon in the real world. There are obviously many elements to Niantic's Pokemon Go. ![]() So - how do you create a game like Pokemon Go based on location data?ġ. There is no doubt that the popularity of Pokemon Go means that there will soon be many imitators. However the stratospheric success of Niantic's Pokemon Go means that the potential for location based augmented reality games is finally being more widely recognized. It’s unsafe, and will get you a hefty ticket.Niantic is an established leader in location based games and has already enjoyed popular success with their Ingress game. And don’t try to play from the driver’s seat in the middle of traffic. If approached by law enforcement, worry more about making a positive impression than catching the Pikachu. Keep your eyes up, and look around to maintain situational awareness. If you want to listen to the game sounds, consider getting a pair of earbuds, and use one you’ll attract less attention from anyone who might wish you ill and you’ll still be able to hear. A player in Ireland died making a night run out a slippery pier to a lighthouse. I know Ingress players who’ve been mugged. 1: Don’t walk around staring at your phone. Here are a few tips from having spent many hours with Go’s older, weirder sibling: I was, however, skulking around with my phone before it was cool. I wouldn’t know a Pidgey from Spearow if they landed on my head. I’m not an expert on the Pokédex I was just old enough when Pokémon hit that I was aware of the phenomenon but never got into it. Now my local Ingress stomping grounds are overrun with players of Pokémon Go, which seems to be a bona fide cultural phenomenon.
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