Domino World AR

Domino World AR is an augmented reality game developed by Schell Games. Built on the Unity engine, the game was a pioneering title for the Google Tango platform (and later mobile devices), utilizing advanced spatial mapping to allow players to set up elaborate domino runs on real-world surfaces like floors, tables, and chairs. The experience focuses on the "joy of destruction," where players can line up thousands of digital dominos and various Rube Goldberg-style contraptions—such as hammers, ramps, and loops—and then knock them down with a single touch. By leveraging depth-sensing technology, the digital dominos react accurately to the geometry of the player's physical environment, turning any room into a limitless workshop.

• Schell Games
• Google Tango
• Digital domino placement
• physics-based chain reactions
• spatial mapping
• "sandbox" building
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Unity Engine
• Depth Sensing
• Area Learning

How does "Spatial Mapping" change the way you play?

In a standard mobile game, objects exist on a flat 2D screen. In Domino World AR, the game "sees" your room. It maps the height of your coffee table and the slope of your sofa. This allows you to build a domino run that starts on a table, falls onto the floor, and winds around your actual furniture.

What is the benefit of a "Digital" domino set over a physical one?

There are three major benefits: Scale: You can place thousands of dominos without ever running out or cluttering your house. Physics: You can use "impossible" tools like anti-gravity ramps or hammers that never need resetting. Cleanup: You can knock down a massive, complex structure and "reset" the entire board to its original state instantly with a single button.

Is there a "game" aspect, or is it just a sandbox?

While the core is a sandbox, the game includes challenges and rewards. Players can unlock new types of dominos and specialized "gadgets" by completing specific tasks or building runs of a certain length, providing a sense of progression to the creative play.

What hardware was this designed for?

It was originally a flagship title for Google Tango, a specialized mobile platform that used multiple cameras and infrared sensors for depth perception. While Tango was eventually succeeded by ARCore/ARKit, Domino World AR stands as a landmark for early mobile AR utility.

Can you interact with the dominos once they start falling?

Yes. Because it is AR, you can move your device through the "falling" line to see the action from any angle. You can also trigger certain digital gadgets (like a giant hammer) manually to keep the chain reaction moving if you made a mistake in the layout.