Kojima Productions announces collaborative AR project with Niantic Spatial

Kojima Productions has announced it is teaming up with Niantic Spatial on a new augmented reality project.

The details:

• During Kojima Production’s 10-year anniversary “Beyond the Strand” event, John Hanke, the co-founder of Pokemon Go developer Niantic and its newly established independent spin-off, Niantic Spatial, took to the stage with Hideo Kojima to unveil a new project. While no details or name was given, the pair shared that the plan is to “move beyond the screen,” with a teaser trailer showing a man interacting with the environment.
• Based on the trailer, the “game” will use Niantic Spatial’s AI technology to make real-world objects virtual and interactive using a mobile phone or smart glasses. “I can’t really speak about details yet, but if you’re climbing a mountain there’s still entertainment there,” Kojima explained. “To give a wild example, it’s like the real Death Stranding, in the real world, where you can connect with people, or connect with the actual environment there in your city. Previously it was like virtual reality, but this time I’m thinking about connecting with the real environment.”
• Niantic Spatial was formed earlier this year after Niantic sold the development side of its business behind Pokemon Go to mobile gaming giant Scopely for $3.5 billion. This led to the founding of Niantic Spatial, which is focused on the development of geospatial AI and aims to create a digital recreation of Earth.

Watch the trailer here: