INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
exists just as much digitally as it does physically
This second life is on a Hidden Side smartphone app, which lets you interact with the sets using augmented reality (AR).On the app, you have
to solve puzzles by interacting with the set, by using your smartphone camera to scan the set and recognise the changes you make
Take a look at all eight Hidden Side sets on LEGO's website.So you may fondly remember playing with your LEGO Knights, Rock Raiders or
City kits, opening up the buildings, playing with the minifigures; but your kids might remember doing the same thing while looking at their
actually have to construct the set before you play with it on your phone
worth checking if your handset is compatible by checking on the App Store or Play Store ahead of time.(Image credit: Future)When playing
with Hidden Side, there are two modes: Hunter and Ghost, and both bring various gameplay elements, as well as different real-world
interactions.Hunter mode is the one that incorporates AR into gameplay: you have to scan your set, then complete puzzles by manipulating it
This can consist of moving minifigures to locations, or modifying parts of the set (we tested the school bus, and you had to spin elements
earns you various collectibles, although the point of this is unclear
toys-to-life video game with physical minifigures
LEGO Hidden Side, though, is perhaps the biggest project by the company to have an even split in the physical and digital worlds.To
understand what caused LEGO to embrace this divide, we spoke to Roberto Marchesi, senior digital creative lead for LEGO Hidden Side, to
better understand the project.First, we asked about the aforementioned digital-physical divide
research shows that kids see no difference between the two [physical and digital creative play] and can shift effortlessly between each
By keeping a hand in each world, children can experience multiple parallel play universes, get immersed and move fluidly and frictionless
a unique set of challenges, and what really stood out with LEGO Hidden Side was the need to create models that managed to balance the
relationship between the physical and the digital play
development of the models as it was crucial for the app to work universally on all sets from the assortment
The design process for the sets was an interactive back and forth where play experience, theme and AR all had to achieve a
They need to like the models, understand how to use AR, and have fun playing
ghosts (just as you do in the app)
