Google Launches VR Game Ingress, Integrates Brands, Locations - 11/21/2012...
Google will soon begin testing the integration of brands like Jamba Juice into a virtual reality mobile game launched in beta. The pilot will test whether the game can lead traffic into physical stores, as well as online.
Niantic Project, the back story of the game, integrates with the physical world to run in real-time. Based on geolocation and mapping technology, the free downloadable Android game, Ingress, allows people to participate in the fictional project. Google's Project Glass, eyeglasses that founder Sergey Brin demonstrated at the I/O conference, will likely become an accessory to the game, though there has been no discussions between the two Google groups.
Aside from Jamba Juice, Archit Bhargava -- product marketing manager at Niantic Labs, an app development division at Google -- said several brands, such as PopChips, Zipcar, Hint, and Chrome Bags Store have stepped up to begin testing the platform in the near future.
Google will integrate a brand's products or physical location into the game. Bhargava describes one option as using QR codes to provide special game codes to players. Similar to the social site Google+, the experimental app launched in beta allows players to invite others to join in....
Via siobhan-o-flynn