Snapchat’s always been about fun, from goofy filters to sharing snaps with friends. Now, it’s diving headfirst into gaming with its new augmented reality (AR) gaming tools. These tools let creators build games that mix the real world with digital magic, turning your phone into a playground. Whether you’re battling friends in a virtual world or hunting for AR treasures, Snapchat’s making gaming more social and immersive than ever. Let’s dive into what these tools are, how they work, and why they’re such a big deal.
The Foundation: Snap AR and Lens Studio
Snapchat’s AR gaming tools live in Lens Studio, a platform where creators dream up those cool AR effects you see all over the app. Think of Lens Studio as a sandbox for building AR experiences—over 350,000 creators have already made millions of Lenses, racking up 4.5 trillion views from Snapchat’s 400 million daily users.
This year, Snapchat’s beefed up Lens Studio with awesome new gaming tools. Now, anyone can whip up turn-based games with Bitmoji or multiplayer AR adventures that feel like you’re all in the same virtual room.
The tools use Snapchat’s tech wizardry—think computer vision and AI—to blend digital stuff, like 3D characters or animations, with the real world. And with Lens Studio now available on iOS and web browsers, you don’t need to be a coding genius to start building games. Just pick a template or type a fun idea, and boom, you’re on your way.
What Makes These Tools Awesome
- Bitmoji Games You Can Play with Friends: Imagine you and your friends taking turns in a game where your Bitmoji avatars face off in a virtual world. These turn-based games come with leaderboards to keep things competitive, so you’ll want to play again and again. Think virtual board games or strategy showdowns, all happening right on your phone.
- Multiplayer AR Fun: With Connected Lenses, you and your friends can jump into the same AR world together. It’s like playing a game where everyone’s moves show up in real-time, right in your surroundings.
- AI That Makes Game Creation Easy: Snapchat’s AI is like having a creative buddy who can turn your ideas into reality. Just type something like “space battle game with glowing ships,” and the AI whips up a starting point for you. It’s a game-changer for anyone who wants to create without spending hours coding.
- AR Spectacles for Next-Level Gaming: Snapchat’s AR Spectacles—those futuristic glasses—let you play games hands-free, with the virtual world all around you. The glasses now track your hands better, have a virtual keyboard, and even use GPS, so you can play games like AR treasure hunts or explore virtual worlds tied to real places.
- Camera Kit for Games Everywhere: With Camera Kit, developers can bring Snapchat’s AR magic to their own apps. That means you could play an AR game in a brand’s app, like trying on virtual sneakers in a fun, gamified way.
- Get Paid to Create: Snapchat’s rewarding creators who make popular AR games through its Lens Creator Rewards program. Plus, the Creator Marketplace hooks developers up with brands for paid gigs, making it easier to turn your passion into a paycheck.
Why This Matters for Us
Snapchat’s AR games are a hit—over 300 million users play with Lenses every day, racking up billions of plays. These games are perfect for Snapchat’s younger crowd (think teens and young adults) who love sharing and competing with friends. For creators, Lens Studio’s templates and AI tools make it super easy to jump in, whether you’re a pro or just messing around. And with the chance to publish games on Snapchat, Spectacles, or even other apps, the possibilities are endless.
The Bumps in the Road
Snapchat’s had a few missed shots in the past. Back when Pokémon GO was taking over the world in 2016, Snapchat didn’t have the tools to support big AR games, so they missed out on that craze. Back in 2023, some folks pointed out Snapchat was late to the AR gaming party, letting games like Pokémon GO steal the spotlight. Also, those AR Spectacles are only for developers right now, so regular users can’t get their hands on them yet. And with Instagram’s huge user base and its own AR filters, Snapchat’s got some tough competition. But they’re doubling down on making their tools better and easier to use.
What’s Next for Snapchat Gaming
Snapchat’s betting big on AR as the future of fun. Their CEO, Evan Spiegel, says AR is a game-changer for how we interact with the world. Snapchat’s betting that by the end of 2025, pretty much everyone on social media will be hooked on AR, with over half of Americans jumping in.
Imagine games tied to Snap Map, where you hunt for virtual goodies in your neighborhood, or AR games at concerts or sports events. Brands are already getting in on the action—Puma’s using AR games to let you “try on” shoes virtually. The future’s looking playful and full of possibilities.
Wrapping It Up
Snapchat’s AR gaming tools are turning the app into a hub for fun, social, and immersive games. With Lens Studio’s easy-to-use tools, AI that sparks creativity, and cool tech like Spectacles, anyone can create games that bring friends together. Sure, there’s competition, and Snapchat’s had to play catch-up, but they’re now leading the charge in AR gaming. Whether you’re a gamer dreaming up your next adventure or just love playing with friends, Snapchat’s AR tools are here to make your world a little more fun.
Want to try creating your own AR game? Check out lensstudio.snapchat.com and start playing around!