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Pokemon Go dev Niantic opens $1m Beyond Reality Developer Contest for AR games

10 teams will get the chance to bring their projects to life using the Real World Platform

Pokemon Go dev Niantic opens $1m Beyond Reality Developer Contest for AR games

Pokemon Go developer Niantic has launched a $1 million Beyond Reality Developer Contest for location-based augmented reality games.

The competition is calling for pitches right now. Entrants do not need a working prototype at this stage to apply. From these applications, 10 teams will be named as finalists in mid-March.

Prime competition

They will then compete in a development phase that lasts for four months, in which developers turn their proposed designs into a reality. Niantic will offer support, including meetings with the executive team in the San Francisco/Bay Area.

For developers developer abroad, Niantic has said it will pay for travel costs for these meetings, though work can be done remotely.

During this phase finalists will earn a stipend and gain access to the Niantic Real World Platform - which powers the likes of Pokemon Go and Ingress Prime.

The contest will culminate in a demo day in summer 2019 to show off the projects.

Developers interested can head to the competition site for further details.


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Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.