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Behind the Build: Gouda Fish Market AR

Mar 19, 2025 1:13:42 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Gouda Fish Market AR created by Dylan Smit from Dunk Technologies is a time-traveling WebAR experience that transports users to the historic fish markets of Gouda. Players take on the role of fishmongers, sorting fish under time pressure while learning about the local history of the trade. By blending historical storytelling with interactive gamification, this project makes history more engaging and accessible—especially for younger audiences.

We spoke with Dylan about the development process, the challenges faced, and the role of Niantic Studio in bringing this experience to life.

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Behind the Build: Sushi Beat Drops

Mar 12, 2025 5:44:05 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Sushi Beat Drops is an interactive WebAR rhythm game that challenges players to catch falling sushi in perfect sync with the music. Built in Niantic Studio, the game utilizes face-tracking mechanics to let players control the action by tilting their heads left or right to catch sushi as it lands on plates. For an alternative input method, a tap-to-play mode allows players to tap the screen to catch sushi on the correct side.

Inspired by classic rhythm games like Taiko no Tatsujin and Osu!, the game blends fast-paced music-based gameplay with real-world interaction, creating a fun and immersive experience.

We caught up with creators Saul Peña Gamero and Mackenzie Li to learn about their process and the lessons they learned along the way.

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Behind the Build: Perfect your timing in this addictive mini-game

Mar 5, 2025 11:47:31 AM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Mini-games thrive on simplicity, challenge, and replayability, and MouseTap delivers on all three. Created by Alex Bradt and the team at Mousepack, this game tests your precision and timing as you tap to inflate a balloon. But miss, and it's game over.

MouseTap is built entirely with 2D assets in a 3D space, leveraging Niantic Studio to create seamless animations, dynamic UI changes, and responsive gameplay. Let’s dive into how Alex and his team brought this fast-paced game to life.

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Behind the Build: Exploring historical monuments in WebAR, anytime, anywhere

Feb 26, 2025 1:39:36 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Have you ever wished you could step inside a historical monument that’s normally off-limits? Thanks to Niantic Studio, Gaussian splats, and Niantic VPS, you can now explore these spaces anytime, anywhere—no special access required. Developer Stijn Spanhove created an innovative WebAR experience that brings historical sites to life by allowing users to peer inside landmarks using 3D scans.

We sat down with Stijn to dive into his process and explore how he combined Niantic Scaniverse, SuperSplat, and Niantic Studio to create a seamless, location-anchored experience.

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Behind the Build: Survive the strike in The Last Pin

Feb 19, 2025 10:40:22 AM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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What happens when you become the last pin standing? The Last Pin, created by Sam Guilmard of Playbound Studio, is a WebAR game that challenges players to survive an onslaught of bowling balls using only head movements. By tilting left and right, players maneuver the lone pin to dodge incoming strikes. The longer they survive, the faster and more frequent the bowling balls become. This high-energy experience showcases how intuitive, physical input mechanics can be used to create engaging, browser-based gameplay.

We had the chance to chat with Sam about his creative process, the challenges he faced, and how Niantic Studio helped bring The Last Pin to life.

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Behind the Build: Defend the ranch in UFO Rodeo

Feb 12, 2025 11:56:00 AM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Tyler White’s UFO Rodeo is a fast-paced WebAR game where players must defend their cattle from incoming UFOs using a high-powered cattle prod. Set on a New Mexico ranch, this arcade-style experience immerses players in a sci-fi western showdown, blending physics-based interactions, real-time score tracking, and dynamic spawning systems. Built in Niantic Studio, UFO Rodeo leverages WebAR to create an engaging and interactive mobile game. 

We spoke with Tyler about the development process and lessons learned while bringing UFO Rodeo to life.

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Niantic Studio Real-World Impact Challenge

Feb 10, 2025 11:02:48 AM / by 8th Wall posted in Community

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The Niantic Studio: Real-World Impact Challenge is here! Running from February 10th to March 31st, this challenge invites developers to create meaningful WebAR experiences that drive social impact, celebrate culture, and explore storytelling through immersive technology. 

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Behind the Build: Bringing Murals to Life in AR with Wall Bop

Feb 5, 2025 3:15:46 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Wall Bop is an audiovisual WebAR experience that transforms a mural by Kel Brown in Austin, Texas into an interactive musical memory game. Developed by Lauren Schroeder, the game invites players to tap on different sections of the mural, triggering animations and sounds, and challenging them to repeat a musical sequence correctly. Using Niantic Studio and Niantic VPS, Lauren mapped the game precisely to the mural’s location, blending the real and digital worlds in an engaging new way.

We spoke with Lauren about the creative process behind Wall Bop, the challenges of integrating WebAR with physical art, and how Niantic Studio helped bring the project to life.

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Behind the Build: Collaborative Exploration in a Liminal World

Jan 29, 2025 1:26:55 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Developers Taj Rauch and Matt Ballas crafted Western Memory, an immersive WebXR experience built using Niantic Studio. In this unique two-device game, players collaborate with a friend or stranger to navigate 3D-scanned environments, solve puzzles, and uncover the lore of a haunting digital world. With the use of QR code mechanics and Gaussian splats, Western Memory challenges players to think outside the screen while delving into a narrative-rich journey. We had the opportunity to talk with Taj and Matt about their creative process and how they brought this one-of-a-kind experience to life.

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Behind the Build: Guide Purple Guy through the woods in this cozy 3D web adventure

Jan 22, 2025 1:31:17 PM / by 8th Wall posted in Community, DAF2024

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Developers Sarai Cibrian and Stephanie Meza from eenieweenie interactive created Lost in the Woods: Balloon Search, an engaging 3D puzzle game that invites players to navigate a whimsical forest alongside the curious Purple Guy. With intuitive controls, dynamic elements, and charming visuals, the game is a perfect example of how Niantic Studio empowers creators to build unique and engaging 3D web games. We had the opportunity to learn about their creative journey and how they brought Lost in the Woods to life.

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