Meow Wolf and Niantic Spatial Pioneer AR Art Experiences

Meow Wolf, renowned for its immersive multimedia art and narrative worlds, has embarked on an innovative partnership with Niantic Spatial to push the boundaries of augmented reality (AR). This collaboration aims to bring Meow Wolf’s captivating story universes beyond the confines of physical exhibitions and into everyday environments through location-based AR experiences.

Niantic Spatial, a leader in geospatial AI technology, is known for its Visual Positioning System (VPS) that powers popular games like Ingress and Pokémon Go. Although Niantic sold off some of its gaming assets, it retained its geospatial technology, which now serves as the foundation for this groundbreaking AR initiative with Meow Wolf.

The partnership will debut with a closed beta at Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver, testing how real-world exploration can seamlessly integrate with in-exhibition storytelling. If successful, this could evolve into a multiplayer platform where users interact with art, uncover narratives, solve spatial puzzles, and contribute to a shared universe that transcends traditional gallery walls.

Key features under exploration include:

• AR Portals Anywhere – enabling users to enter the Meow Wolf Universe from everyday locations like sidewalks and parks, revealing layers of digital art.
• Quests & Show Moments – scavenger hunts and puzzles that unlock exclusive content and deepen story engagement both in and out of exhibitions.
• Community Worldbuilding – inviting participants to co-create art, characters, and storylines, fostering a collaborative and evolving universe.

This initiative reflects Meow Wolf’s commitment to blending reality and fantasy, transforming the world into a canvas for creative expression. By leveraging Niantic Spatial’s cutting-edge geospatial AI, the collaboration promises to redefine how audiences discover and interact with art and storytelling in public spaces.

The project will be unveiled at the Augmented World Expo (AWE), signaling a new era where immersive art and AR technology converge to create shared, interactive experiences that extend beyond traditional exhibition walls.