Niantic is buying 8th Wall, an organization that helps builders make web-based augmented actuality apps, in what it says is its “largest acquisition to date.” The acquisition will assist enhance Niantic’s Lightship developer platform and to assist builders “realize their visions for AR in the real-world metaverse,” Niantic’s Brian McClendon stated in a weblog put up. (The firm is a big fan of the time period “real-world metaverse.”) Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, and when requested, Niantic spokesperson Jen Stratton stated the main points had been confidential.

Niantic, the developer of the vastly in style Pokémon Go, has continued to push into AR, most not too long ago with a Pikmin-themed app. But the corporate has had some misses, having shut down each Catan: Settlers and a Harry Potter-themed AR sport. But given the acquisition introduced Thursday, it appears that evidently Niantic nonetheless believes within the potential for augmented actuality apps and is aiming to make it simpler for builders to make them.