The Ingress game has skyrocketed in popularity since its launch in 2012, and Google has reportedly decided to work on bringing it to TV to add another dimension to the game's play. This move is also a reflection of Google's business practice of reaching into multiple markets. The Information reports:
When Google launched a gaming studio five years ago, it was largely an effort to keep a valued employee. Now, the first game developed by the studio, Ingress, has become so popular that Google is developing it into a television show.
Google’s game studio, called Niantic Labs, is yet to pitch the show to TV networks but it has partnered with Sean Daniel Co., the producer behind the Mummy movie franchise and the upcoming Syfy series “The Expanse,” to make the show. Producers are in talks with candidates to serve as its showrunner, according to two people who have been involved in the discussions.
Yahoo Columnist Rick Newman thinks Google is trying to get a slice of every market.
“Google is trying everything," he says. "Obviously, this looks appealing to them, and we're just seeing the continued diffusion of all our entertainment options… the idea here is it would be sort of a hybrid video game TV offering. It's entertainment. I think this is terrific.”
While Niantic Labs has reportedly partnered with the Sean Daniel Company, producer of the new SyFy's miniseries The Expanse, it is unclear whether the show would air on traditional TV networks or on streaming services. Yahoo Finance’s Aaron Task wouldn't be surprised if Google makes a segue into TV production.
"Ultimately it is going to do that. Every company is a media company now, and if you're a platform like Google you want to be in all areas," he says. "Amazon (AMZN) bought Twitch last year, which is a video gaming company, and Facebook (FB) has Oculus. All these things are converging…entertainment and video games are becoming one."
