Build the Lightship ARDK Open Source Library

Build immersive AR sample projects on Lightship ARDK 3.0

We want to make it easier to build AR experiences for the real world. Help us empower Lightship developers by contributing sample projects!

A Partnership Of

Niantic Lightship is building out its sample project library and is looking for help from developers like you to kickstart it. Starting September 5th, 2023, developers can submit applications with their project ideas to apply for grants to fund their project and ultimately have their project featured on Lightship’s sample project library.
Grants of $3,000 are available to developers selected to participate in the program.
BUILD THE NIANTIC LIGHTSHIP SAMPLE PROJECT LIBRARY WITH US
Sample projects help accelerate developers to create their own geospatial experiences, games, and products.
We’re looking for creative developers to help build out our sample project library.
SAMPLE BRIEFS
Think out of the box! We’re looking for new ways to elevate our everyday experiences through augmented reality. How can AR be used with the music you’re Listening to? How can AR enhance historical landmarks in your city? AR can be everywhere.
Here are a few briefs we'd love to see tackled:
1. Content Persistence + Multiplayer
AR can happen anywhere. Create a location-based experience featuring digital content that persists across AR sessions, and is able to be interacted with by multiple users. 

For example, imagine a digital garden at locations, at which users water flowers. These flowers then grow over time, for other users to return to the location and explore later
2. Multiplayer Mini-Game
Focused on fun with your friends, we’re looking for a multiplayer augmented reality mini-game, where users can jointly participate in an AR session and compete against one another, or work together towards a common goal.
3. Visual Effects (VFX)
Transform the world around you into a stunning, augmented reality experience by applying shaders and visual effects to the real-world environment.
4. Novel Use of VPS
Flex your creativity with our Visual Positioning System by using it in a new and interesting way. This can be for a single specific location, a set of locations, or an experience that works at any VPS location. 

If this experience only works at certain VPS locations, part of the deliverable should include a video showcasing the experience at that location.
5. Lightship Maps View + AR
Displaying an overhead Map can be powerful. How can we combine the real-world map, with augmented reality, to create a unique experience?
6. Outdoor Sports mini-game using the real-world environment
Many sports can be played outside in the real-world. How can we use the power of augmented reality to understand the world around us, and create a digital, sports focused mini-game that leverages that understanding.
7. Open Submission
Have your own idea of an innovative experience you can create with Lightship? Get us excited about it too!
Submissions are open from September 5th to October 6th, 2023 via the form below. Work will begin in late October and will run for a five week period.
TELL US ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO BUILD
Just tell us a bit about yourself and what you'd like to build, and we'll be in touch soon!
Don't have a specific idea of what you'd like to build? No problem! We have ideas and prompts of project library concepts we'd love to see happen.

Have questions? Get in touch with us at hello@playcrafting.com.
Your Name
Your Studio (if applicable)
Your Email Address
To which brief (see list above) are you responding?
Provide a step-by-step overview of the sample experience you'd like to build
What Lightship features will be used?
Why do you want to build this project?
Please provide link(s) to your other work and/or portfolio
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