PRESS RELEASE
METAIO DELIVERS FIRST MOBILE AUGMENTED REALITY SHOOTER GAME TO OVI STORE
MUNICH / SAN FRANCISCO, June 7th, 2010 - metaio, the technology leader in mobile augmented reality (AR) has developed a 1st person AR shooter. The Symbian® based "Zombie ShootAR" utilizes the camera live-stream for optical tracking and 3D rendering to create a thrilling, interactive experience. The free demo version can be downloaded from the Ovi store by NOKIA now!
We are at the dawn of a new computer game era. The real world is becoming a playground for virtual content displayed around the gamer. These new concepts are made possible through two game changing developments: more and more powerful mobile devices - with open and adaptive operating systems, cameras, big displays and strong processors - and software, which enables the recognition of the environment and the integration of (3D) content into live video streams.
Important step towards mobile gaming with AR
Although the Zombie ShootAR is an early example of this new category of augmented reality games, it can be seen as a true milestone. Players explore the real world around through the display of their mobile phone. No matter where they are, in the kitchen or in the streets, all of a sudden zombies start to crawl out of the ground. And these villains are in for the gamer now. But with a shotgun and the targeting radar view there is a chance to stay alive - at least for a while. Peter Meier, CTO of metaio states: "This is an important step on our roadmap and a first proof of concept that AR games can really be fun. We want to bring the virtual gaming world to the real world."
A glimpse into the future of mobile Augmented Reality
metaio recently launched the 2.0 version of junaio, a mobile augmented reality platform with an open API for developers and AR browser functions as well as unique and groundbreaking features. Until now junaio is only available on the iPhone, but with the new 1st person shooter at hand, metaio is currently evaluating opportunities to making mobile AR browsing, gaming and networking also available for Symbian® users. On the other side, the features like markerless tracking and game logics developed in the 1st person shooter will be very prolific for the overall junaio platform - enabling content providers and developers to create interactive concepts at the cutting edge between the real and the virtual world. The shooter game is not the dead end, it is the beginning of a new era.
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