We are thrilled to present the winners of the Explore Together Challenge — an exciting look into the world of location-based AR experiences using VPS.

Over the past two months, we invited the 8th Wall and Lightship communities to create immersive AR experiences that connect the digital and physical worlds. From our initial 'Info + Ideation: Explore Together' session to the hands-on 'Niantic AR Workshop: Mastering Location-Based AR with VPS' and the inspiring 'AR Voices: Bringing Underrepresented History to Life with VPS', participants were provided with a wealth of knowledge and resources to fuel their creativity.

With a substantial prize pool up for grabs, this challenge was the perfect opportunity for developers to demonstrate their skills and push the boundaries of what’s possible with location-based AR. 

These projects have not only showcased technical prowess but have also highlighted the transformative potential of AR in connecting us to our surroundings in new and meaningful ways. Discover the creations that have set new standards in location-based AR storytelling.

8th Wall Grand Prize Winner

We are excited to announce that the 8th Wall Grand Prize goes to Tiffany Nguyen and her team at SCU for their remarkable project, "Thámien Ohlone AR Tour"! This experience shines a spotlight on the story of the Ohlone Native American people on Santa Clara University's campus, an area dominated by Catholic monuments. Inspired by other tours focused on social justice, such as the Race and Slavery Walking Tour at the University of Alabama, this project offers self-guided through the power of AR.

Integrating 3D models, narration by Native storytellers, and traditional songs at all four stops, "Thámien Ohlone AR Tour" fosters a deep connection between the land and its indigenous stories. This immersive AR experience not only educates users about the history and culture of the Ohlone people but also creates a meaningful and engaging way to connect with the past.

Lightship Grand Prize 

We are thrilled to announce that the Lightship Grand Prize goes to Aday González, Cristian Milani, Caro Urien, and Patrick Crawford for their incredible project, "Splat Town"! 

"Splat Town" transforms real-world locations into interactive arenas for strategic battles, using virtual goo as a versatile and creative tool. The game's premise is simple, yet it opens up a world of possibilities for players to interact with their teammates and rivals in innovative ways. This experience uses the locations mesh to allow players to spray goo onto physical surfaces in AR at VPS location and have it persist across sessions.  Players can see previously placed goo when they return to a location and can clean up or add more goo.

By transforming everyday locations into dynamic battle arenas, this project highlights the potential of AR to create immersive and interactive experiences grounded in the real world.

Global Explorer Prize Winners (x2) 

Congratulations to Jordan Smith, Rachel West, Juan Lam, and Justin Gast for their project "Charme", and Juan Manuel Codó at Studio Soup for their project "Victoria Ocampo AR Experience"!

Charme by Jordan Smith, Rachel West, Juan Lam, and Justin Gast
"Charme" encourages people to leave fun easter eggs for their friends and revisit places they have a special bond with. Inspired by Luigi's Balloon World minigame in Super Mario Odyssey and the I Spy books, "Charme" combines playful interaction with meaningful connections to real-world locations.

 

Victoria Ocampo AR Experience by Juan Manuel Codó at Studio Soup
The "Victoria Ocampo AR Experience" transforms the historic house of Victoria Ocampo into a captivating AR experience. The history and beauty of the location make it a perfect fit for an immersive storytelling project that brings the past to life.

Champion of Fitness and Sport Prize Winners (x2)

We are excited to announce the winners of the Champion of Fitness and Sport Prize, recognizing two projects that best simulate sports challenges and encourage outdoor activities. Congratulations to Libardo Martinez Durango for his project "Runner Life", and Stijn Spanhove for his project "AR Mini Golf"!

Runner Life by Libardo Martinez Durango
"Runner Life" starts with the phrase, “Explore your world at every step.” This project is inspired by the transformative impact of running on physical and mental health. Designed to merge the virtual and real world, "Runner Life" leverages VPS technology in the vibrant city of Medellín to create an unprecedented, fun, and recreational experience.

AR Mini Golf by Stijn Spanhove
"AR Mini Golf" was inspired by the desire to blend the fun of mini golf with the immersive possibilities of augmented reality. The goal was to create an interactive experience that combines physical realism with digital creativity, making the game accessible and engaging for all.

 

Community Catalyst Prize Winners (x2) 

Congratulations to Sergio Camilo Medina Galvis for his project "Geo AR-Cade", and Lauren Schroeder for her project "Planted" for their experiences that facilitate local engagement, social interaction, and communal participation. 

Geo AR-Cade by Sergio Camilo Medina Galvis
"Geo AR-Cade" aims to turn public spaces into vibrant social hubs, reminiscent of old arcades where people gathered to have fun. This AR experience leverages Niantic's cutting-edge technology, including VPS, Meshing, and Semantic Segmentation, to create an engaging and interactive environment.

Players explore their city, competing against others to achieve the highest score at each location by playing a classic Snake arcade game.

 

Planted by Lauren Schroeder
"Planted" brings the concept of a community garden into the virtual realm, allowing participants to plant virtual flowers that symbolize their personal goals and intentions. This project aims to increase community connection and encourage self-reflection and learning about nature.

 

Nature Navigator Prize Winners (x2) 

Huge congratulations to the following two experiences for their use of AR to bring environmental exploration and education to life. Patrick Obumselu for his project "Botanic Tether", and Ken Mitsui for his project "Bug's Symphony"!

BotanicTether by Patrick Obumselu
"BotanicTether" is designed to enhance the visitor experience at the Houston Arboretum and Natural Center, a fantastic location to explore biodiversity. This innovative app helps visitors find detailed information about the plants and animals in the area, beyond the limited trail signs currently available.

 

Bug's Symphony by Ken Mitsui
"Bug's Symphony" brings the digital world to life with a symphony of insects. This game challenges players to find and catch three special insects among over 1,000 swarming and escaping bugs, providing a unique and engaging way to explore the world of insects.

Honorable Mentions 

• Globe Spotting by Peter Locharernkul
• Noir Chronicles: The St. Valentine's Day Massacre by Panos Tsotros, Manolis Tsotros
• ChickDash by Manolis Tsotros, Panos Tsotros
• Operation High Point by David Woodward 
  
  
  
  

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