Google Launches Mobile Game Ingress – How about Google Glass?
Ingress - Google game by Niantic.
MARK MY WORDS
I would almost be willing to bet money that with the release of this new game "Ingress" by Google that this is the beginning of their pre-pre launch of Project Glass.
While the focus of this article is not so much about Ingress but rather what I observe as google's launch plan for the Google Glass Project.
Let's take a look at a few things..
1) Project Glass Made it's official debut back in early April of this year showing consumers what Google hopes to make possible (video below).
2) Since then they have already sold their $1500 prototype to developers in the US that attended Google's I/O Conference back in late June.
At the conference Google Co-founder Sergey Brin told the estimated 6,000 attendees,
"This is new technology and we really want you to shape it,"
"We want to get it out into the hands of passionate people as soon as possible."
3) In an interview Sergey did with Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom he (Sergey) said that he has hopes of getting it out to the public in 2013. See the clip below.
4) Google releases their own "altered reality" mobile game - Ingress.
As you can read from the comment I made on another blog, I would be willing to put money on this being the beginning of their 'Project Glass' Campaign.
WHY?
Think about it. What better way than to create a userbase/audience for something that is having them engage in a type of gameplay that will naturally entice them even more to GET the Google Glass(es) when the technology is officially unveiled.
To speak to just that - think about the benefits they're going to/would reap by doing this.
(if all goes well)
1) As early adopters of Ingress the users will be the first ones to become evangelists of Google Glass(es) when they're officially unveiled.
Since Google declared themselves as a "Mobile First" company no too long ago, that leads me to my next point.
2) The mobile gaming industry is off the charts right now as far as revenue potential. This could be an extremely large new source of revenue for Google (I'm sure you can imagine).
Not only that though, there is HUGE location based advertising potential here. High street businesses could plant objects near or in their premises. not to mention, just having people get out more and therefore be more likely to stop by for a coffee etc.
Say hello to Adsense 3D.
3) They'll be able to set a benchmark in the mobile gaming industry while simultaneously leading the way with an immersible new technology/platform that supports full immersion among gamers.
Awesome.
Last Point,
5) If the points above come to fruition (especially #3)
You can see how easily this can be seen as the 1st step in their Marketing campaign (while I expect it to be more drawn-out than one of Apple's releases) and a very clever way to get things started as well.
As a disclaimer..
Whats been reflected in this Article are based on my own observations and thoughts.
Here's to Google - and the future of Ingress & Google Glass.
Best,
Kevin