We experienced the AR+LBS game Father.io, and felt that it wanted to be an explosion.

After Pokémon Go, the next explosion of AR games is likely to be non-Father.io, basically has become the industry consensus. However, after experiencing the game, we felt that it would have to solve a few problems to become the next one.

Proxy42 was planning the LBS+AR game Father.io as early as 2013, until it was crowdfunded on Indiegogo in 2016, and it was known by more people. According to the idea of ​​crowdfunding, with the $18 micro-infrared device Inceptor, the mobile phone becomes a grab, and CS is possible anytime and anywhere. At that time, this peripheral raised a total of 418,000 US dollars, far exceeding the target of 50,000 US dollars.

This game has a fast combat and multiplayer online mode. Among them, the fast combat mode can be played at any time, as long as you encounter other players with Inceptor, you can start playing, and the game ends with one death. Multiplayer online mode lasts for 3 months, a bit like the shooting version of Ingress, players can invite friends to join, grab the site together, and use the money to develop construction sites or buy weapons and ammunition. Recent games have started beta.

To get a clearer picture of the game and this article, you can watch the two videos below.

(Note: Video of Father.io crowdfunding)

(Note: Father.io's latest trailer)

At the 2016 Tencent Global Partner Conference, Father.io gave a presentation outside the venue. It is said that Tencent and Leju are now talking about the Chinese agent of this game. From the communication with related parties, it can be basically concluded that it has not yet been finalized.

36æ°ª also experienced this game on the spot. The iPhone SE phone was used as a test machine. A micro-infrared device, the Inceptor, is installed behind the phone. It is likely that the prototype will be developed and there will be no outer package. Enter the game page, click the shooting button in the lower right corner, a gun and aiming shooting interface will appear in the center of the phone screen. After the mobile phone monitors the "target", it can support the shooting. Each time the enemy is hit, the score is 10-30 points. (On the spot, only the score of 10 points and 30 points is experienced, and there is no other score.) Click the shooting button in the lower right corner before each aiming. The target aiming shooting interface will disappear after a period of time. There is only a quick play mode on the scene, and one of the death games ends.

For specific operations, you can refer to the official app update video released this year.

(Note: The latest App show by Father.io)

Overall, the AR+LBS game quick play mode has basically taken shape, but there is still a gap with the official video. On the one hand, because the iPhone SE phone is used as the test machine, the screen of the mobile phone is small, the performance is not smooth enough, and the experience is not good enough; on the one hand, the live experience environment is relatively simple, and there may be no way to highlight the characteristics of the game. 36æ°ª also asked some of the experiencers on the spot, showing a relatively clear view of the two factions, one side feels that real-time real CS, very cool; on the one hand, I feel that this game is very different from expectations, very disappointing. Among them, the latter view is mainly about people who have a certain understanding of VR, AR or Father.io.

This disappointment is not difficult to understand. Pokémon Go is booming and IP is a must. The industry has been hoping for a new AR game to be successful. The voice of Father.io is basically the highest. 36. The founders of several AR startups interviewed before have basically held this view. However, at present, if Father.io wants to become an explosion, it may have to solve several problems.

First, the Inceptor sales issue. Part of the game's experience needs to be done with the Inceptor peripheral. On the one hand, this $18 device for crowdfunding has blocked some users who are used to free. After the live experience, Tencent will ask the experience to make a questionnaire. One of the questions is how much the product is acceptable. On the other hand, peripherals also take time to reach the user's hands, and game consumption is often impulsive, and there is a contradiction between the two. A game circle reporter told 36 æ°ª that even if it is a free gift, this time difference may affect the retention of a well-known game user.

Second, if the game forms a network effect. This game mechanic determines that the more people participate in the game, the more fun it will be. In general, people also want to play with their friends. However, the price and time cost of peripheral purchases may restrict some users and increase the difficulty of forming network effects.

Third, the way of realizing. For games, realizing is a topic that cannot be disturbed. Compared to the pioneer of the AR+LBS game, Ingress, Pokémon Go solves the problem of making money through in-app purchases. But for Father.io, it is also a problem to introduce money into the country through hardware or games. At present, it is basically unrealistic to make money through hardware. The payment of the game itself is basically unreachable in China, and it is likely to be income through in-app purchase or advertising. If you cooperate with a domestic big factory, don't know if the future will be charged through advanced equipment or increasing the number of playable games?