Augmented reality is becoming a subject of interest for many game developers. Being able to offer gamers a fully interactive, real world experience is a yet unexplored option in the industry. There have been mild attempts at incorporating augmented reality experiences in the past, but such attempts have produced mild successes at best. Now, Sony Online Entertainment is experimenting with a new form of AR, which they claim will change how people play games.
Sony has been working on a new program which they call “Smart AR.” The program will be able to superimpose 3D images on objects without using physical markers as guides. Currently, augmented reality relies on such markers, whether they are QR codes or something similar. These markers often send a signal to the mobile device, activating the AR experience. If Sony is successful in developing this program, it will be the first of its kind in the world.
Smart AR will have a variety of uses beyond that of gaming. The program will be able to turn menus, posters, and other such materials into fully interactive experiences. Sony also hopes to tune the program to be able to register objects moving at high speeds.
Sony released a video demonstration earlier this month showcasing the abilities of their new program. The video features a pink bear interacting with several elements in the environment. The program will also be able to detect AR elements the same way smart phones can detect the presence of NFC tags.
