New augmented reality (AR) games from Snapchat allow users to compete with their friends using touch, motion and even facial expressions.
Snappables introduce shared AR experiences to the messaging application, allowing users to become a part of another world and then share that world with friends.
For example, friends can be invited to join a rock band or fight aliens, or challenged to an emoji dance-off.
While some Snappables allow you to jump into another world, others are more like games, where facial expressions and movements are used to play.
Among the first Snappables unveiled by Snapchat are an Asteroids-style space shooter, a bubble gum popping contest, a weight lifting game which is played by raising your eyebrows, a kiss-blowing game and an egg-catching competition.
Once a Snappable is chosen from Snapchat’s Lens Carousel, the user will see on-screen directions to invite friends to join.
Some games are played solo and players try to get the highest score, while others let you invite friends to play simultaneously, TechCrunch explains. You can also send a friend a Snap of you playing, which they can use to enter the game.
“We see Snappables as just the very beginning of a new type of AR experience on Snapchat,” the company said.
“Up until today, Lenses have been about transforming your look or the world around you through content. Snappables are the first shared AR experiences on Snapchat. Snappables invite you to become a part of another world and then share that world with your friends.”
Check out this video to see Snappables in action.
The feature is now rolling out to Snapchatters globally on iOS and Android, and the company says it will release new Snappables every week.
Tags: Gaming, gamification, Digital entertainment, AR, Augmented Reality, Connected Consumer, Snapchat
