The social gaming concept works well for PCs. You can join up in teams, broadcast your game-play sessions, communicate via live voice or text chats. You talk, cooperate or compete against one another, interact and eventually socialize better.
Boosting user engagement in the mobile game with AR video chat built with Banuba Face Filters SDK.
Why mobile social games fail to connect players
However, when it comes to mobile, the socializing mostly ends with leadership boards and “Invite friends” option. The key factors that make it a challenge to connect players beyond include:
- low power capabilities of mobile devices
- limited game-play interface
- quick game sessions
- targeting both iOS and Android users
As a result, most mobile games fail to establish emotions connections between players.
But what if you could see the person you’re playing with? Play together as if sitting in front of one another? What if seeing each other was a fun and engaging experience — one you'd feel comfortable about?
Our client Teatime, a startup providing the AR-powered mobile social game platform, has made it possible.
Hyperspeed racer: AR filters and live video chat
Screens from the App store
Teatime Games found a way to increase user engagement in mobile games through AR technology. Their face-to-face game platform relies on the concept that players can not only see one another when playing but also complement this experience with augmented reality filters that add immersion, engagement and fun.
Hyperspeed, the first game released within our collaboration project, features real-time video chat where players wear virtual masks or Gamefaces enabled through Banuba Face Filters SDK.
It’s a multiplayer game where friends can race against each other in outer space and communicate via the live video chat powered with 3D face filters.
Players have fun while trying on space-related masks, accessories or even full-face masks if they don’t want to show their faces.
Along with our face filter SDK, Banuba has provided Teatime with the Effect Constructor and Viewer component that allows the team to design new masks, preview them in real time and quickly upload them to the app. And users can unlock them by gaining reward points.
The game is available both for App Store and Play Market.
The idea behind Teatime: mobile games going social
“Our games are made to emphasize the social aspect of being able to play together. It will allow the players to communicate through shared experience, the way we used to. Technology has the capability to both entertain us and connect us, and we see no reason why it shouldn’t do both.” says Thor Fridriksson, CEO of Teatimes, in his interview for Venturebeat.
https://www.teatime.games
Mobile games have been showing a steady growth in revenue for the last couple of years with the prediction to reach $65 billion in 2020. Its revenue already surpasses PC and console games with no signs to decline in the future.
https://statista.com
By merging live communication with the augmented reality technology, Teatime sets on a mission to take mobile social games on the next level by breaking down the barriers of the screen that separates players. The AR video chat powered with face filters is a great feature to connect players.
What to use AR masks in your game or video chat? Get in touch!
