Niantic's 'largest acquisition ever' shows that the company is still looking for AR . is emphasizing

Niantic's 'largest acquisition ever' shows that the company is still looking for AR . is emphasizing

Niantic is acquiring 8th Wall, a company that helps developers build Web-based augmented reality apps, in what it says is its "largest acquisition ever." The acquisition will help boost Niantic's Lightship developer platform and help developers "realize their vision for AR in the real-world metaverse," Niantic's Brian McClendon said in a blog post. (The company is a big fan of the term "real-world metaverse.") The terms of the deal were not disclosed, and when asked, Niantic spokeswoman Jen Stratton said the details were confidential.

Niantic, developer of the hugely popular Pokémon Go, continues to push into AR, most recently with a Pikmin-themed app. But the company has had some lapses after discontinuing both Catan: The Settlers and the Harry Potter-themed AR game. But judging by the acquisition announced on Thursday, it looks like Niantic still believes in the potential of augmented reality apps and aims to make it easier for developers to build them.