Android dev brings the first AR game to Google Glass

Google’s wearable tech may still be deep in the exploratory and experimental territory, but that hasn’t stopped a few talented developers from thinking outside of the limited Mirror API to create some amazing things. One such project is Psyclops, the first AR game made specifically for Glass.

Google Glass has all the necessary pieces for some really fun games. The face level camera, comfortable fit on the head, and transparent display create a perfect environment for AR gaming. When Glass was first released to the Explorer Program, there was some concern that the limited battery life would crush any potential for combining work and play on the face computer.

Since that point, Glass OS updates have dramatically improved battery life, and offered a larger playground for developers that are looking to get to work on their own Glass app. Rather than wait for the official Glass Developer Kit to hit the Google servers, Sean McCracken used his talents to begin working on Psyclops for Glass.

McCracken describes Psyclops as a mix between Space Invaders andMissile Command. In its current state, the game makes you spin around in search of pillars of light and alien spaceships that seem to be coming from the sky. You lock on to the enemy by focusing your targeting reticle on the enemy, which you accomplish by turning your head and pointing Glass at the source.

Each game lasts 60 seconds, with a score counter at the top while you play. Once you lock on, your weapon fires and you move on to the next target. It’s a fairly simple game in its current form, but quickly becomes a full body activity as you hunt for new pillars of light.

For an early version of the game, Psyclops is an amazing first step. Google hasn’t created an environment that makes it easy for this game to be shared or installed for Glass yet, so it basically needs to be side loaded like you would an unofficial Android app on a phone. There’s also no mechanism for launching the game from inside Glass unless you are familiar with the GlassBridge app, which also needs to be side loaded and setup before it works correctly. These are all things that are expected to be handled when Google decides Glass is ready for full apps, but for now the road to playing software, likePsyclops, requires access to a PC and a basic understanding of the Android Debug Bridge.