How to Develop an Augmented Reality (AR) Game Like Pokemon Go

Are you looking to develop an AR game like Pokemon Go, but don’t know from where to start? If yes, this article is for you! In this article, we will know the key steps through which you can build an AR Pokemon Go like game.

Augmented Reality games have become quite popular. Among all, Pokemon Go has garnered a level of success that no other game has. What these games do is they combine the real world with the digital elements. Or if we say the other way, it overlays digital elements into the real world where players feel as if they are interacting with the digital elements in front of them in real life. This creates an immersive experience for players.

Let’s know how you can build an AR game like Pokemon Go.

Step-By-Step Process to Develop an AR Pokemon Go-like Game

Step 1: Understand AR Technology

AR games use the camera, GPS, and sensors of smartphones to overlay virtual objects in the real world by showing them on the camera screen (backcam). To develop an AR game you need to understand the following aspects:

GPS & Mapping: For tracking the player’s location.

AR SDKs (Software Development Kits): It helps place virtual objects in the real world.

3D Modeling & Animation: It creates digital creatures or objects for interaction.

Step 2: Choose the Right Game Concept

Games like Pokemon Go must have an engaging concept. For your AR game. Decide on the following:

Theme: Will it be about collecting items, fighting battles, or solving puzzles?

Gameplay Mechanics: How will players interact with AR elements?

Target Audience: Are you making the game for kids, teenagers, or adults?

Step 3: Select AR Development Tools

You need the right set of tools to create an AR game similar to Pokemon Go. Here are some popular choices:

AR Development Platforms:

ARKit for the iOS platform

ARCore for the Android platform

Vuforia for Cross-platform game development

Game Engines:

Unity is best for beginners and professionals

Unreal Engine is used for advanced graphics

Step 4: Develop the Game Map and World

The game world should be based on real-world locations. To do this follow the below steps:

Use Google Maps API or OpenStreetMap for location-based gameplay.

Design spawn points where virtual characters or items will appear.

Ensure proper geofencing so that game elements appear only in specific areas and not outside the coverage.

Step 5: Create and Integrate AR Elements

To provide an immersive experience to the users, you need to ensure that your game has interactive 3D objects like characters, items, or environments.

Use Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max to design 3D character models

Add animations to make characters move naturally in the environment

Use the AR SDK to place these objects in the real world

Step 6: Implement Game Logic and Mechanics

The game should have smooth mechanics for player interaction. Use programming languages like C# (for Unity) or C++ (for Unreal Engine). You need to define player actions such as catching, fighting, or exploring. Ensure smooth collision detection so that your players can interact with virtual objects correctly.

Step 7: Add Multiplayer Features (Optional)

This is optional but if you add a multiplayer option in the game then you can make it more engaging. You can use Firebase or Photon Unity Networking to create a real-time player interaction. You can also add leaderboards to encourage competition. In addition to this, the game can allow players to trade, battle, or team up in the game which enhances social gameplay.

Step 8: Optimize Graphics and Performance

Since AR games use a lot of phone resources, optimize performance by:

Reducing 3D model complexity to improve loading speed.

Using cloud storage to store game data instead of the phone’s memory.

Testing the game on different devices to ensure smooth performance.

Step 9: Test Your Game

Before launching, test your game to fix any bugs. For this conduct alpha testing with a small group of people. Then collect feedback and fix issues. Perform beta testing by releasing it to a wider audience for final improvements.

Step 10: Launch and Market Your Game

Once your game is ready, launch it on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. To attract players, you can leverage various strategies like social media marketing for game promotion, rewards for early players, and adding new features through regular updates.

Conclusion

Developing an AR game like Pokemon Go requires creativity, technical knowledge, and the right tools. By following the above steps, you can create an exciting AR experience that blends the virtual and real worlds. Partner with the best AR game developer to create an AR Pokemon Go like game that not only attracts and immerses players in the augmented world but also elevates your game business to the next level.