Introduction
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real world. It has been around for decades, but it was not until the development of smartphones and other mobile devices that AR became widely accessible to consumers. Today, there are countless games, apps, and experiences that use AR to create immersive and interactive experiences. But what was the first game to use augmented reality? In this article, we will explore the history of AR in gaming and find out which game came first.
History of Augmented Reality in Gaming
The concept of using computers to overlay digital information onto the real world can be traced back to the 1960s. One of the earliest examples was the Sword of Damocles, a system developed by Ivan Sutherland in 1968. The Sword of Damocles consisted of a head-mounted display (HMD) that projected a virtual sword onto the real world. Users could look around and see the sword as if it were really there, even though it was just an image on a screen.
Over the next few decades, researchers continued to explore the possibilities of AR in gaming and other applications. In 1973, a system called the Utah Teapot was developed at the University of Utah. The Utah Teapot was a virtual teapot that could be viewed from any angle using an HMD. This project is considered one of the first examples of a fully immersive AR experience.
In 1980, researcher Tom Furness developed a system called the Head-Mounted Displayer (HMD), which was used in military applications to overlay digital information onto the real world. This technology was later adapted for gaming and other consumer applications.
The First Augmented Reality Game: Nintendo’s Pokemon Go
While there were many AR games developed before Nintendo’s Pokemon Go, it is widely considered to be the first game that truly captured the public’s imagination. Pokemon Go was released in 2016 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. The game uses AR technology to overlay digital creatures, called Pokemon, onto the real world. Players can hunt for these creatures by exploring their surroundings and using their smartphones to capture them.
Pokemon Go was a massive success, with millions of players downloading the app and spending hours playing it. The game’s popularity helped to popularize AR technology and paved the way for other AR games and experiences.
Summary
The history of augmented reality in gaming is a long and fascinating one. From the early days of the Sword of Damocles to the more recent success of Pokemon Go, AR technology has come a long way in just a few decades. While there have been many games and experiences that have used AR, it is clear that Nintendo’s Pokemon Go was truly the first game to capture the public’s imagination and help to popularize this exciting technology.
FAQs
Q: What was the first game to use augmented reality?
A: The first game to use augmented reality is considered to be Nintendo’s Pokemon Go, which was released in 2016.
Q: What is the history of augmented reality in gaming?
A: The concept of using computers to overlay digital information onto the real world can be traced back to the 1960s. Over the next few decades, researchers continued to explore the possibilities of AR in gaming and other applications. In 2016, Nintendo’s Pokemon Go became widely considered to be the first game that truly captured the public’s imagination and helped to popularize this exciting technology.
Q: What are some examples of early AR games?
A: Some examples of early AR games include the Sword of Damocles, developed by Ivan Sutherland in 1968, and the Utah Teapot, developed at the University of Utah in 1973.