This analysis is based on a survey of 1,572 players of Ingress, Google’s augmented reality game. The survey was shared across platforms like Reddit, Google+, Twitter, and IRC, and further disseminated through informal networks.
While not scientific, the results provide valuable insights into the Ingress player community.
Key Demographics
The average Ingress player is:
- Age: 30.5 years old.
- Gender: Predominantly male (91%).
- Religion: Non-religious (64%).
- Language: Primarily English-speaking (60%).
Players are largely based in North America, with 44% from the United States and 7% from Canada. Other notable communities include Germany (6%), the UK (5%), and France (5%).
Politically, the community leans left, with libertarian (13%), green (8%), and anarchist (7%) ideologies also well-represented.
Law and Rule-Breaking
A significant number of players admitted to bending the rules:
- Breaking the Law: 16% knowingly violated laws or regulations to play, with an additional 15% unsure.
- Cheating: 5% admitted to in-game cheating, such as GPS spoofing or using multiple accounts.
Interestingly, more players respected the game’s rules than the law, highlighting the strong social norms within the community.
Positive Impacts of Ingress
The game has demonstrated significant benefits for players:
- Exploration: 88% visited new places they wouldn’t have otherwise explored.
- Social Interaction: 74% met fellow players, and 29% made new friends.
- Physical Activity:
- 93% reported walking more.
- 24% took up cycling.
- 10% engaged in hillwalking or trekking.
Environmental Concerns
Despite its benefits, Ingress isn’t entirely eco-friendly:
- Driving: 74% of players used cars for Ingress-related trips.
- Air Travel: 2% took flights specifically for Ingress, raising concerns about the game’s carbon footprint.
Costs of Playing
On average, players reported spending $79.84 on the game. This includes transportation costs and equipment upgrades:
- 16% purchased new devices or hardware to play.
- 8% upgraded their phone or data plans.
Spending varied widely:
- 26.3% spent $100 or more.
- 3.3% spent $1,000 or more, reflecting the dedication of a core subset of players.
Team Selection and Dynamics
Players are evenly divided between the two teams:
- Enlightened: 786 players.
- Resistance: 777 players.
Reasons for team choice were split:
- Storyline: 50% chose based on the game’s narrative.
- Practicality: 50% opted for factors like local team strength or social connections.
Interestingly, 23% intentionally joined the losing team, contributing to the balance between factions. Resistance players tend to lean slightly more right politically (27% compared to Enlightened’s 22%), but both teams are dominated by liberal ideologies.
Google+ and Community Engagement
Ingress has significantly boosted engagement on Google+, with 91% of players interacting with others on the platform. Other popular platforms include:
- Reddit: 39%.
- Facebook: 15%.
- IRC: 12%.
- Twitter: 7%.
This reflects Google’s success in using Ingress to drive traffic to its ecosystem, particularly among tech-savvy Android users.
Players’ Favorite Aspects of Ingress
Survey respondents provided a variety of insightful and personal reflections on what they enjoy most about Ingress. These responses highlight the unique appeal of the game, from fostering exploration and social interaction to fulfilling nostalgic and futuristic fantasies.
Rediscovering Local Spaces
Many players appreciated how Ingress encouraged them to notice and engage with their local environment in ways they hadn’t before:
- “I’ve memorized the locations of every post office, library, fire station, and piece of art within 50 km of my house.”
By transforming everyday landmarks into in-game portals, Ingress gives players a fresh perspective on their surroundings, helping them uncover hidden gems and appreciate the details of their communities.
Transforming Routines into Adventures
For some, the game has turned mundane daily routines into exciting missions:
- “Rather than being a weekend warrior, I’m now a daily commute warrior.”
Players use their commute or daily errands to advance in the game, hacking portals or capturing fields along the way. This aspect of Ingress makes even the most ordinary activities feel purposeful and rewarding.
Immersing in a Cyberpunk Reality
Ingress appeals to fans of science fiction by blending the digital and physical worlds:
- “It has a cyberpunk feel—walking around a metropolis, hacking portals with a tablet, living out my favorite 90’s sci-fi books.”
The game allows players to step into a cyberpunk narrative, embodying the technological intrigue and urban exploration often found in classic sci-fi stories.
Fostering Real-Life Connections
Unlike many online games where anonymity prevails, Ingress encourages real-world interactions:
- “The openness—you eventually meet other players in real life, so you can’t hide behind an avatar.”
By meeting fellow players during missions, events, or casual gameplay, participants develop meaningful connections and a sense of community. This openness fosters collaboration and teamwork, which are essential to succeeding in the game.
Exploration Beyond the Usual
Players also valued how the game pushed them to explore beyond their usual boundaries:
- “I’ve visited parks, historical landmarks, and other locations I didn’t even know existed before playing Ingress.”
The game inspires players to step outside their comfort zones, discover new places, and engage with their environments in a deeper way.
Blurring Lines Between Digital and Physical Worlds
Ingress’s augmented reality format creates a unique blend of gameplay and reality:
- “Walking around with my phone in hand feels purposeful. It’s more than just staring at a screen—I’m interacting with the real world.”
This balance between digital strategy and physical movement keeps the game dynamic and engaging.
Encouraging Physical Activity
Players noted that Ingress motivates them to stay active:
- “I now walk more than ever, and I’ve even taken up cycling to reach remote portals.”
Whether through walking, cycling, or even trekking, the game’s mechanics encourage a healthy, active lifestyle.
Nostalgia and Escapism
For some, Ingress is a way to relive the excitement of their favorite sci-fi stories while escaping the routine of daily life:
- “I feel like I’m part of a futuristic mission, and it takes me away from the stress of work and reality.”
This element of escapism, combined with the strategic and immersive nature of the game, makes it a beloved pastime.
From rediscovering local landmarks to fostering real-world connections and embracing a cyberpunk narrative, Ingress offers players a multifaceted experience that goes beyond traditional gaming.
The blend of physical activity, exploration, and social interaction creates a unique appeal, making Ingress more than just a game—it’s an adventure that bridges the digital and physical worlds in a way few other experiences can match.
Conclusion
Ingress offers more than just an augmented reality gaming experience. It promotes physical activity, fosters social interaction, and encourages exploration of real-world locations. However, its environmental impact and the financial commitments of some players raise important questions.
Despite its challenges, Ingress has created a dedicated community that bridges the digital and physical worlds, embodying a mix of competition, collaboration, and discovery. Whether for fitness, fun, or a love of tech, Ingress continues to captivate players across the globe.
To play with the dataset yourself you can view it here or download it here. You also can see the original survey here (I’ve left it open).
