Real location based AR gaming with Clandestine: Anomaly

Remember when I wrote the "steal this idea" entry a couple months ago? ZenFri Inc in Winnipeg, Canada was several leaps ahead and is developing possibly the most mind-bending reality-blurring game experience ever.

Clandestine Anomaly is the game I've dreamed of playing since I first discovered augmented reality. See the tremendous "emergent reality" prototype in action:

The game didn't reach it's Kickstarter goal, but the Indie Game podcast interview with chief executive artist Cory King assured us that the game will appear on tablets and PS Vita early next year. Fantastic news!

In short, this project must exist to set a standard for those that follow. Mucho Gusto to the Clandestine: Anomaly team!

The New Artcade Experiment

This past weekend I conducted an experiment: build an arcade in my apartment with a range of indie game formats, intermix it with game themed art and see what the response is.

The response was an overwhelmingly positive storm of jubilation! The GamePad 3000 Experimental Artcade at Bushwick Open Studios in Brooklyn had proven that this format was an exhilarating experience and was the pick of several organizations:

The acid tour of Bushwick Daily's No BS BOS

ArtInfo's top 10 must-see Exhibitions to see at BOS

Art Nerd NY's Holy BOS top pick

The Art, Culture and Technology Meetup recommendation (click see all)

Village Voice took several photos at the event (pix 15-17)

What is the next step? The retro arcade may have died out long ago. So what is the modern arcade experience? A bar filled with old-school cabinets and fancy beer?

It came to my attention after attending game meetups and demos over the past year that there simply isn't a place to regularly play new indie games in a social setting where gamers, enthusiasts and designers can mingle and have fun. And look at gamey art!

Game culture is flooding the mainstream, and such a place must exist.