When Niantic teamed up with The Pokémon Company to createPokémon Go, old and new fans alike flocked to the game. The ability to integratePokémonwith the real world was a tempting offer which millions found themselves unable to turn down. Updates which would follow integrated manymissing featuresfans had sought from the initial release which have led to one of the most unique experiences available.
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With other franchises such asHarry PotterandMinecraftproducing similar experiences, it’s impossible not to wonder which other titles we may see enter the augmented reality fray. Here are ten franchises we think should create a similar experience in the future.
10Yu-Gi-Oh!
It isn’t hard to see the similarities betweenPokémonandYu-Gi-Oh! Both havesimilar monstersand command scores of fans across anime, video game, trading card game, and collectible merchandise mediums. WhileDuel Linkshas given us a great mobile platform from which to enjoy theYu-Gi-Oh!franchise, it doesn’t quite touch the scope ofPokémon Go.
Imagine implementing elements of the anime into an augmented reality game.Duelist Kingdomcould be realized in full by fans in a unique way that hasn’t been seen yet. While the thought might be a bit more enticing than the product could deliver, we’d love to see the attempt.
9Digimon
If there is a franchise which bears a closer resemblance toPokémonthanYu-Gi-Oh!, it’sDigimon. Staying true to form for the anime, Digimon pairs individuals with a single Digimon inside the Digital World. With technology being what it is today, the franchise really lends itself to an augmented reality experience.
We could easily envision this. The world players would inhabit could take the place of a gateway into the Digital World from the Digimon universe. The only unfortunate temptation we could see developers tempted toward is allowing players to acquire multiple companions as is the case with other games in the franchise. We’d prefer to avoid that.
8Smash
Shifting gears a bit,Smashisn’t quite the same asPokémon, but the franchise has successfully incorporated several Pokémon characters into its roster over the years. If Smash can turn the Pokémon trainer into one ofits best characters, why can’t they mimic thePokémon franchise to create an awesome interactive mobile title?
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Compared to the previous two, this might be a bit tougher. It would definitely need to focus on implementing items in the real world for use in the battle platforms. The upside toSmashmaking an AR debut is that it could produce a far more sufficient single-player experience.
7Dragon Ball
Shifting back to another anime series,Dragon Ballis an extremely popular franchise which has always found success in video game form. With the nature of the series, an interactive mobile title which incorporates theDragon Balluniverse would be captivating.
If made, this title should have players create an avatar similar toPokémon Go. In some manner, they would need to improve their abilities. There are a variety of enemies and settings which could be incorporated, along with the ultimate prize: gathering the Dragon Balls themselves. The parameters of what one could wish for, however, might need to be worked out.
6Final Fantasy
What franchise is more known for rich worlds thanFinal Fantasy? Its various titles are known for intricate stories, epic villains, and vast worlds which are thoroughly developed. There isn’t a world which could be more fully fleshed out than the one in which we live. How rich could a makeover at the hands of Square make our world?
We envision the map animations of this world being reminiscent of traveling the world map inFinal Fantasy VII. Enemies could be encountered randomly or in similar manners toPokémon Go. With enough design, monuments and locations in the real world could be built into explorable areas or minigames.
5Devil May Cry
Having recently made its comeback into prominence, theDevil May Cryfranchise is yearning for a new medium. To date, the franchise has only explored RPGs, but it would be nice to see it expand. In terms of avenues to follow, not many would fit the theme as well as an interactive mobile title.
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Sadly, an interactive mobile title in the franchise wouldn’t be able to feature Dante in a traditional sense. He would need to play a similar role to a professor inPokémon Go. Ideally, players would take on the role of demon hunters, taking on various bounties and upgrading their own abilities. If worked out properly, the franchise certainly has potential.
4Paranormal Activity
Thus far, we’ve focused on video game franchises. While it’s certainly easier to imagine those, they aren’t the only franchises capable of lending to the interactive mobile genre. Think of an augmented reality experience based around theParanormal Activityfranchise. To go a step further, any horror franchise could suffice. We just think this one makes the most sense. The presentation of films as reality means that they’ve already taken a step in the right direction.
We’d envision this title incorporating horror elements into the real world. A variety of challenges could sprout up, including the defeat of various supernatural enemies.
3Warcraft
WhenWorld of Warcraftdebuted, Blizzard had taken a hit franchise in a bold new direction. Having already emerged into the MMORPG realm, Warcraft is already primed to venture into new territories. With augmented reality serving as the current frontier for video game developers, Warcraft could move with ease.
Blizzard has certainly shown its diversity as a developer. With a history of strategy and RPG titles, this entry would be able to incorporate various unique elements to create an interactive mobile experience which highlights the best of many items already listed here.
2The Sims
The Simsis an oddly addictive franchise which pulls players in by letting them manipulate the world around the lives of simulated characters. For years, this franchise has been one of the greatest ways to waste time for millions.
When you think of franchises you’re able to pick up and put down to kill time between high profile releases, none serves better thanMinecraft. The fact thatMinecrafthas successfully stepped into the realm of interactive mobile games makes it clear thatThe Simscould also see a successful transition. We could see a scenario where this game forces users to manipulate items in their environments. Perhaps they could be joined by their Sims avatars, or perhaps it would primarily take place in smaller plots as theMinecrafttitle does. In any case, it could be exciting.
1Fallout
ForgetBethesda’s 2018 disappointmentknown asFallout 76and look to a brighter time. Perhaps in doing so, we should change the title of this item to The Outer Worlds, but we like to hold hope that theFalloutfranchise isn’t finished yet. After all, Fallout Shelter was an amazing entry into mobile games for the franchise.
Reimagining our world as a wasteland is easy. Sprinkling junk to be collected throughout is not hard. Raider encounters would be absolutely doable, and the various factions inFalloutlore easily offer team lines similar to Teams Mystic, Valor and Instinct. Not only would this be a great experience, but it would essentially lay the groundwork for future releases when mapping out areas for new wastelands.
