Augmented reality is on the rise, including its use in board games, card games, and other gaming platforms. Below, we explore the ins and outs of augmented reality, new AR board games on the horizon, well-established AR games already in circulation throughout the UK, and other noteworthy interactive games!
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality, also known as AR, is an innovative technology that cleverly overlays digital information onto the real world. This can be any computer-generated information, such as sounds, text, and graphics, that effectively enhances the view of the real world through devices like AR glasses or smartphone apps. This smart technology is now widely used throughout the gaming industry, appearing in various forms, including physical games such as card and board games, as well as video and virtual tabletop games.
New augmented reality games in the UK
The most up-and-coming augmented reality game in the UK right now is Battlemarked: Demo x Dungeons & Dragons, developed by Resolution Games. This releases in the UK on 20th November as a virtual fantasy tabletop game, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam, Meta Quest, and PC, among others.
Gather a team of up to four players and get together to create strong alliances and uncover sinister scenarios in this exciting new augmented reality game.
Are you a big fan of both video games and physical games? Discover popular games based on video games at Asmodee.
Popular AR games
Demo x Dungeons & Dragons Battlemarked is the most noteworthy release this year in the world of augmented reality gaming, but here you can discover other AR games already well-established in the UK, including both physical and app-based options:
Twister Air Game
Released in summer 2023, Twister Air Game is a clever AR version of the classic 1960s game, Twister. It is an app-based AR game that links to smartphones and other devices like iPads and tablets, featuring wrist and ankle bands to bring the iconic game from out of the classic spotted mat and onto the screen.
Scotland Yard Master
This is an augmented reality board game that uses both a physical board and an AR app to further enhance player experience. The augmented reality feature of the popular game allows users to use their smartphone to scan the physical board for clues to help track down the ominous Mr X. One of the players is required to play this criminal character, and must avoid being captured by the other players, also known as detectives.
Pokemon GO
Pokémon GO is an immensely popular mobile AR game, first released in the UK in 2016 by game developers Niantic. It cleverly uses the GPS function on mobiles to imitate the players' real-life location, allowing players to find, catch and fight hundreds of different Pokémon characters. You can then utilise your physical Pokémon cards, as some of these will have codes that can be redeemed in the Pokémon GO app in return for items. There is also a Pokémon card expansion called Pokémon GO, featuring unique art from the mobile AR game.
Interactive games at Asmodee
While not directly augmented reality, we do have a wide selection of interactive games at Asmodee that involve a little more than your average card or board game. Discover some of the most popular options below:
Unlock! Escape Adventures
This is an exciting interactive card game that brings the experience of an escape room right to the tabletop in your home! Fight against the ticking clock to solve cases using clues and puzzles to guide you along the way.
Pictionary Air 2
This is a modern take on the classic drawing game, Pictionary. Pictionary Air 2 uses a light-up pen to draw in the air, and a smartphone app that then converts the drawing made with the pen into a drawing on your screen, which you can then project onto a TV for other players to see!
Pictionary vs AI
Pictionary takes on AI! This fun version of Pictionary sees real-life drawings pitted against AI guesses. Predict which real-life sketches AI will guess correctly to score extra points in this hilarious interactive board game.
Game developers, manufacturers and investers to look out for
If you’re on the hunt for brand new augmented reality games in the pipeline, here we give our predictions on upcoming releases and the main game developers to look out for:
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Niantic - as the creators of Pokemon GO, they are a leader when it comes to AR gaming, and are bound to release new innovative games in the future. Current titles already in circulation include Ingress, Peridot and Monster Hunter Now
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Meta - huge investors of both AR and VR (virtual reality), definitely one to look out for when scoping out new AR games
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Xreal - a significant name in the AR space as a manufacturer of AR glasses, could they be the next company to develop a new type of AR board game?
Watch out for new releases at Asmodee
Here at Asmodee, we’re constantly upping our game. We’re always bringing out new releases to ensure that all our fellow game lovers are never stuck for options on what to play. If you want to shop for new games in person, use our handy store locator to find your friendly local game store. And for those wanting to learn more about this vibrant gaming industry, be sure to check out our Q&A with our very own Hobby & Independent Channel Director at Asmodee, Roger Martin!
