The Role Of Location Services In Popular Mobile Games
Nowadays the development of technology reached a new, revolutionary level. Along with the technology improvement, a person’s desire for new entertainments and challenges is growing. So mobile games using location-based technologies won the hearts of colorful online world fans and gained huge popularity. One of the most iconic and recognizable location-based games is Pokemon GO. The game has created a real sensation, winning millions of users worldwide by connecting the virtual world to real-life locations.
On the one hand, it may seem that the modern generation spends more time in the online world than in the real one. However, location-tracking games often attract players due to their colorful gameplay and exciting challenges. At this same time they encourage players not just to hang out with their phone, but to go outside, explore the neighborhood and interact with other people.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the history of the development of location-based games, how location services work in games like Pokemon GO, how to track a phone for free and what else location tracking services can be useful for.
The History And Development Of Location-Based Games
The idea of combining the real and virtual globes in a mobile game haunted the minds of developers for a long time. Attempts to create location-based viral games were made in the nineties and noughties long before the iconic Pokemon GO.
The predecessor game of Geocaching just demonstrated the potential of location-based games. Players were asked to search for hidden caches using GPS technology around the world. Fans of outdoor activities quickly fell in love with the game, as it turned any trip or walk into a new challenge.
Speaking about the history of location–based games, we cannot help mentioning Niantic and their first project, the Ingress game. In the process, the players had to split into two teams, capture and establish control over the “portals”, i.e. objects of cultural significance. The game itself was not extremely popular in wide circles due to certain difficulties during the game. But having gained valuable experience, the developers improved Pokemon Go: simplified the game, added several new features. As a result, the game quickly went viral and revolutionary in its genre.
In Pokemon Go, location-tracking services are integrated with augmented reality to turn an ordinary promenade into an exciting quest to hunt for Pokemon. The success of the game became a model for other similar projects worldwide.
Location tracking services in games evolved significantly over time. The modern approach allows to combine the added reality with the existing one more accurately and offer players a new unique experience. It was the developers of Pokemon GO who demonstrated that technology can significantly change the way we approach gameplay and offer endless possibilities for this type of game
Location tracking services in games evolved significantly over time. The modern approach suggests better integration of virtual and reality spaces and provides players with engaging experience. The developers of Pokemon GO proved that technology can greatly change the way of playing and suggest endless possibilities for further gaming experience.
Technologies Used For Bright Gaming Experience
As mentioned earlier, location-based games utilize a combination of several technologies at once. Each one plays a unique part in creating an unforgettable experience. The main technologies are as follows:
GPS
The main technology used in the games
Engages satellites. Each of them transmits signals about the current time and position relative to orbit.
The information from the satellites is reported and processed by the GPS receiver of the player's key device (cell phone or tablet)
The receiver analyzes the data and calculates three-dimensional coordinates of the location (altitude, latitude, longitude)
For uninterrupted gameplay, the receiver continuously updates the device's location and reports the data to the game application
The received location data is applied by the game on a virtual map based on a real terrain map
Game elements (Pokémon or whatever/whoever else) are also placed at specific points on the map based on the received data.
Augmented Reality
Allows to add digital virtual images to real-world objects displayed through the device's camera.
Enables to see virtual characters in the real world via the device's camera
Making gameplay more dynamic and immersive
Mobile Device Sensors
Modern mobile devices are equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes
Allows you to track the movement and orientation of your device in space
Improve player immersion in gameplay (For example, an accelerometer tracks physical activity and step width for games improving the user's physical form. Gyroscope determines the direction of the device in space, improving the positioning of virtual objects on the game map)
Cloud-Based Technologies And Servers
Store and process large amounts of information
Update the game world in real time
Support customized user settings and game updates
Protect data by preventing data leakage and scam, especially if the game constantly tracks the geolocation of the device
AI And Machine Learning
Enable the creation of more realistic, adaptive and complex game worlds
Analyzes personal data and player behavior, offers personalized tasks
Improves the algorithm for recognizing objects on the map
Optimizes gameplay, making it more intuitive
All of the technologies described above work together to form the basis of location-tracking gaming. These technologies are responsible for the seamless integration of the real and virtual zones. They allow players to enjoy an immersive gaming experience. With further technological development, we can create even more advanced gaming solutions captivating new users.
Location Tracking Services – Focus On Security
Device location tracking is utilized by many mobile device applications. Location data can be used for entertainment and personalized advertising, at the same time for user safety. A key application that uses location data to provide peace of mind and security is Number Tracker.
Number Tracker is an application for tracking and sharing your location. It uses similar GPS technology (described above) in combination with cellular data and Wi-Fi to locate loved ones in real time. The app offers a number of convenient features and benefits:
Real-time location: no more worrying about your loved ones. Their location is clearly marked on a virtual map.
Highly accurate data: using a combined method to obtain the user's location ensures accuracy and relevance.
Movement history: useful for analyzing family movements and coordination
Alerts and geofences: mark special zones for increased security and receive an immediate notification if your family members leave them (especially useful for keeping small children or elderly family members safe).
Flexible customization: adapt the app as you wish. Choose who can view your location, customize notifications, create groups and add locations to the map.
Easy to use: a colorful and intuitive interface does not require some technical skills.
Reliability and security: high level of privacy and control of user's personal data. No leaks or theft of information by third parties.
Evaluate the benefits of technology and the app's capabilities for your personal safety and the security of your loved ones yourself right now.
Modern Location-Based Games
Let's face it and admit that Pokemon GO was at the peak of popularity but already retired, giving way to newer projects. Now there are a lot of new games based on location services. It is very easy to find out about them, you just need to type the appropriate query into the browser, Google Play or App Store.
Modern games offer a new and more interesting reality, as well as an unexplored gaming experience. Some of worthing your attention ones, in our opinion, are:
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Is quite similar with Pokemon Go (created by the same developers)
The player must explore the neighborhood in search of magical creatures and artifacts, interacting with virtual objects
Immerses the player in a world of magic, wizardry and spells
Jurassic World Alive:
Another popular game utilizing geolocation services
The goal of the game is to find and collect dinosaurs
The player can search for dinosaurs, create hybrids, collect unique dinosaur DNA (element of strategy).
There is an opportunity to fight with other players (element of surprise and tactics).
The Walking Dead: Our World
Introduces virtual opponents (zombies) into the real world with location tracking
Allows you to team up with other players, cooperate and survive in a tense atmosphere right on the streets of your city
Immerses the player in the atmosphere of The Walking Dead universe
These contemporary examples show how the use of geolocation in games can revitalize and transform familiar game genres, offering new ways to interact and engage with gameplay.
Final Points To Consider
The future of games using modern technologies in combination (location services, VR, AR, AI) promises to be entertaining, colorful and innovative. The gaming experience will be more unique, and the game will be able to take into account the individual characteristics of the player: their behavior, preferences and external conditions. Moreover, the continued advancement of technology, GPS and other positioning systems will enable the creation of more complex and realistic games, nearly indistinguishable from real life.
Existing location-based games already changed the way people interact with virtual worlds. However, we want to remind you to strike a balance between play and life and be more here and now than in a fictional game universe. Please also remember that location tracking technologies can be used for both entertainment and to ensure the safety and security of your loved ones.
