Paris, 12 November, 2013 - JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announced today that it has launched a US Airports gaming partnership with Niantic Labs at Google for world travelers at both John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles International Airports.
Niantic Lab’s game, entitled Ingress, uses Google Maps and a layer of deep-rooted fictional conceit to create a location-based Alternate Reality Game (ARG). The vision behind Ingress was to create a “move-to-play” feel and encourage players to get off the couch and see the world around them while enjoying a truly social game. The game is intended to be played globally and revolves around the idea that there is a strange and powerful energy force gamers must battle and conquer.
More than 70 Ingress Airport virtual portals using JCDecaux digital displays have been integrated in the game at JFK and LAX main gate room areas. With 113 million passengers, both airports will provide a new dimension to existing and potential new gamers.
Jean-François Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: “As we see an increase in media convergence between out-of-home media and mobile technology, it seems like a natural evolution to partner with Niantic Labs at Google on this ground-breaking approach to social gaming based on location.”
John Hanke, General Manager of Niantic Labs at Google, said: “Ingress marries mobile gaming and the real world, and we are excited to integrate JCDecaux’s digital display network into the Ingress game which already includes public artwork and historical sites. Our goal is to enrich everyday experiences with an element of mystery and fun by encouraging our users to look for the unexpected, and JCDecaux’s digital displays are now part of that experience. ”