This project involves the development of an augmented reality (AR) game called A2-GO! that encourages players to get out and explore their surroundings while interacting with virtual elements seamlessly overlaid on the real world. Drawing inspiration from landmark AR experiences like Pokémon Go, the project leverages ARFoundation and MapBox to integrate real-world mapping data with interactive gameplay. The development is structured in three phases – Milestone, Alpha, and Gold – where initial progress is demonstrated through key AR interactions and navigational tasks, the app reaches a feature-complete state (albeit with some rough edges), and finally, a custom game mechanic is implemented to complete the project. In addition to building an immersive AR experience, the project emphasizes showcasing the work through video demonstrations and a polished web portfolio.
Created by: Brian McNulty, Joshua Bisdorf and Randy Medendorp
Unity 2022.3.42f1: For Project 2, I ventured into Unity for the first time. Unlike Project 1’s VR simulation in Unreal Engine 5—where I relied on visual scripting via Blueprints—Unity demanded a deeper dive into C# coding. This code-heavy environment not only sharpened my programming skills but also granted me more granular control over game mechanics and interactions.
Mapbox: This project marked my first experience using Mapbox. While Project 1 did not require any location-based services, integrating Mapbox in Project 2 allowed me to effortlessly overlay real-world mapping data into the AR experience. The convenience of Mapbox saved considerable development time compared to building a custom mapping solution, adding a dynamic and immersive layer to gameplay.
Jira: Having used Jira during Project 1, I returned to it with improved proficiency in Project 2. My increased familiarity with its features enabled me to organize tasks more effectively, plan and execute sprints with clearer milestones, and maintain a well-structured workflow throughout the development process.
Git (with GitLab): While version control was essential in both projects, Project 2’s emphasis on code made Git even more critical. Using Git with GitLab streamlined collaboration and code management, offering a smoother experience with branching and conflict resolution compared to my previous endeavors.