
Future of StoryTelling (FoST)
Niantic and the Future of Mixed Reality — John Hanke
Feb 19, 2024
In this engaging discussion, John Hanke, the founder and CEO of Niantic, dives into the innovative world of augmented reality. He shares the vision behind Niantic's AR games like Pokémon Go and their impact on outdoor activity and community building. The conversation highlights the new 'Rangers Wanted' app, designed to educate children on conservation. Hanke also explores the future of mixed reality, advocating for lightweight AR glasses and the blend of AI with storytelling, emphasizing the importance of real-world interaction.
30:29
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Quick takeaways
- Niantic's core philosophy emphasizes enhancing outdoor engagement through augmented reality, encouraging socialization and physical activity while combating screen time addiction.
- The Rangers Wanted app exemplifies Niantic's commitment to education and conservation, blending outdoor play with environmental awareness in a fun and interactive way.
Deep dives
The Origins of Niantic and Its Mission
Niantic was founded with the goal of encouraging outdoor engagement through augmented reality technology. The inspiration for its creation came from CEO John Hanke's desire to help his son connect with the physical world more, given the increasing amount of time children spend on screens. This led Hanke to explore how technology could be designed to enhance real-world interaction instead of isolating users. By developing games that treat the real world as the game board, Niantic aims to facilitate socialization, adventure, and physical activity in a way that’s engaging and entertaining.
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