Ingress: It's time to move..

It's been over a year and counting and I'm still hooked in this game. What game you ask? ...

INGRESS!!!

I really like this promotional video. It gives you an idea how it feels to play Ingress. Are you intrigued now? What is Ingress??

Ingress is a GPS based game created by the Niantic Labs within Google. Some may argue that this is not just a game. Watch the beginner's guide to give you a quick peek in the world of Ingress.

According to Google, Ingress is a place or means of access, an entrance. Access to what? Entrance to what? I'd like to think of them as portals where exotic matter leaks into our world. Exotic Matter or XM is an energy form which is the basis of all Shaper technology according to Niantic. It's influence? It's effects? We are not really sure...

Two factions fight to gain control of said portals. The Resistance (my faction) and the Enlightened.

                                                 Resistance Logo              Enlightened Logo

Basically, Ingress is like a world wide game of capture the flag. My friends and I have been playing this game since closed beta. A lot has changed since then. New player levels, badges, new weapons and mods and recently they made it available to iOS users as well. What keeps me hooked?

1. The game play itself is really cool. It makes me feel like a real life agent. So those who have long dreamed of becoming a secret agent, this is your chance to make it come true. It may be a lot to absorb at first but you'll get used to it eventually.

agent ninjamoves (resistance) hacking a portal. (she doesn't know the guard on duty is enlightened XD)

There are already a lot of us out there, so don't be surprised if you hear someone say, 'Hey dude! Come let's attack and destroy that statue!', ask them first if they play Ingress. If not, Please call the police immediately!!!. XD

 2. The places I'm able to visit. The title of this blog says it all. I like going on adventures and road trips. If you do to, then this game is definitely for you.

 agent ninjamoves and cydoki buying cowgirl hats at Intramuros, Manila

agent axsyon and cydoki capturing kalayaan tree portal at Malolos, Bulacan.

agent axsyon, cydoki and kurochan at Angeles, Pampanga.

3. The awesome community. Ingress is a group game. Yes you can play the game alone but that would be boring. You can only strengthen your portals with the help of other high level agents. This way you get to meet a lot of people not only locally but also agents from other countries. This is probably the biggest factor why I've been playing this game for a long time now. I get to have new friends :)

 Meeting other agents for the first time. Looks like serious business :p

Farming and Tanking sessions at Intramuros, Food Trips at Binondo and late nights (or should I say day breaks?) at BGC. It's not just the game. It's the adventure and the experience.

 First portal I've captured.

 Way back when there were just 4 portals in my home town (now there's already 10 I think) and my level bars were still moving :)

 And of course BACON!!! If you love bacon, JOIN THE RESISTANCE!!! We are a faction of bacon lovers :)

What you need to play Ingress?

1. a phone or tab with GPS and at least 4 inch screen.

2. a stable data connection.

3. install the Ingress app from play store. It's FREE!

4. JOIN THE RESISTANCE!!!

 

Helpful links:
Getting started:
http://ingressfieldguide.com/content/ingress-bootcamp
Ingress backstory:
http://niantic.schlarp.com/
Intel Map:
https://www.ingress.com/intel