Google just might make an Ingress-inspired TV show. The tech giant is said to be working with Niantic Labs and Sean Daniel Co., the producer of the successful Mummy franchise and the force behind the upcoming Syfy series The Expanse.
Producers of the upcoming TV show are in talks with candidates for potential showrunners.
As an augmented reality MMO RPG, Ingress is a game where players get the chance to go to real-world landmarks such as a public monument, sculpture or sign. These solid and visible structures are then "captured" for the team using a number of commands found on the players' devices. These devices can either be iOS or Android.
The game is filled with a lot of mystery, geolocation and stealth all wrapped in a sci-fi gameplay. When playing the game, players get the notion that they are part of major operatives that are meant to change the world.
One of the things that made the game so popular is its hybrid nature. When playing the game, users are allowed to choose sides and vie for portals found in real-world tangible locations. At times, they are given the chance to cooperate across a number of factions, which allow them to produce "faction art" pieces.
The game, which can also be played using a tablet, has been getting attention from a number of people for several reasons. These can range from creating a new form of engagement and interactions with co-Ingress players to a number of backlogs, which are enough to keep the game appealing.
At this point, Google hasn't made any pitch yet regarding the show's potential home network. Rumor has it that YouTube could likely be the program's hub. Other rumors say that Google is considering making the content available to streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix.
However, this move by Google doesn't actually mean that the tech giant is aiming to become a major TV player like Amazon or Netflix. In essence, Google sees it as adding a new layer and bringing new gaming experiences and influences to the people who play it.
With the game's growing popularity - a record-breaking 10 million downloads since the day it launched in 2012 - it's not really that surprising that it caught Google's attention. It remains to be seen, however, whether the game can keep its current appeal once it becomes available on a bigger platform.
