# AR Auto-Robot Games Transformers: Heavy Metal Lets Players Team Up with Bumblebee By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2021-06-14 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transformers-heavy-metal References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/niantic-hasbro-transformers-heavy-metal-ar-game-144544180.html?src=rss_b2c) & [transformersheavymetal](https://www.transformersheavymetal.com/) [Transformers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bape-and-transformers-1): Heavy Metal is an augmented reality game from [Niantic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-now), Tomy and Very Very Spaceship that's being introduced after the success of wildly popular AR games like Pokémon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. The game, built on Niantic's Lightship AR multiplayer platform, gives players the ability to "team up with the likes of Bumblebee and the Autobots in the real world," which promises to help fans interact with the characters from the franchise like never before. The augmented reality game is launching in select test markets soon and fans of the franchise can now pre-register to be notified of updates. The immersive experience that [augmented reality games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/niantic-scopely) provide promises to be particularly appealing at a time when people are eager to participate in adventures outside the home. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Augmented Reality Gaming:** The success of AR games like Transformers: Heavy Metal promises disruptive innovation opportunities for the gaming industry, providing immersive experiences for players and opening up opportunities for new revenue streams. - **Multiplayer AR Platforms:** Niantic's Lightship AR multiplayer platform, used in Transformers: Heavy Metal, suggests new opportunities for collaboration in creating engaging multiplayer AR games. - **Character Interaction in AR:** Transformers: Heavy Metal's ability to interact with franchise characters in the real world opens up possibilities for other franchises and IPs to use this technology for deeper fan engagement and new revenue streams. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Gaming:** Augmented reality games like Transformers: Heavy Metal present vast opportunities for innovation in the gaming industry, including new revenue streams and immersive experiences for players. - **Technology:** As the use of augmented reality technology becomes more frequent in gaming and other industries, there is a growing need for improved AR technology and infrastructure to support these experiences. - **Entertainment:** The potential for deeper character engagement in augmented reality gaming opens up opportunities for other entertainment industries such as movies and TV shows to offer new immersive experiences for fans. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Augmented Reality Hunting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monster-hunter-now.md) - [Alien-Hunting AR Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taito.md) - [AR Superhero Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marvel-world-of-heroes.md) - [Lighthearted Mobile Shooter Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-big-robots.md) - [AR Driving Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-driving-game.md) - [AR-Based Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graffity.md) - [Transforming Robot Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transformers-the-ark.md) - [AR-Powered Cereal Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/journey-to-the-magic-gems.md) - [App-Enabled Party Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twister-air.md)