I was thinking today as there was an event in-game for the app Pokémon Go and I got one of these e-mails from the company saying how I qualified for one of their platforms that enable user’s to create various locations in its games. The e-mail stated the following:
“Hello !
Did you know that you’re eligible to onboard to Niantic Wayfarer?
In case you didn’t know, Wayfarer is our platform that lets you shape the gameboard by carefully reviewing player nominated Wayspots in and around your community. You can also track the status of your own Wayspot nominations submitted in-game.
Check out this short video to get started. Then join our conversation in the Community Forum where you’ll find key resources on what makes a Wayspot eligible, and how to review them. When you’re ready to start, log in at wayfarer.nianticlabs.com.
Eagerly waiting,
Niantic”
So essentially real people would go and analyze/evaluate real life areas in which the company would use that data for its games. In many ways it’s almost like say Google asking everyone to submit photos and videos for them to use on its Google Maps. Although Google normally gets its vehicles to capture images, I actually do remember various programs such as them looking for people to voluntarily carry 360 cameras to hikes as an example to gather data.
That made me think of this for Pokémon Go as instead of even having to spend real money to hire people to collect these data they are essentially using their fans for free. Kind of makes you wonder if that is right when you think about it huh? They make billions too on that game where I think it is safe to say funds shouldn’t be an issue.