Google launches ARCore 1.0

Google has announced its augmented reality SDK is no longer in preview, with version 1.0 now available to all games makers.

ARCore enables developers to create AR mobile games that use the camera to interact with real-world objects. Version 1.0 features "improved environmental understanding", according to Google's blog, which allows studios to place in-game items on textured real-world surfaces.

Developers will also be able to publish their AR games to the Play Store, with a potential audience of 100 million Android smartphones. This figure encompasses the 13 models currently compatible with ARCore, and Google is working with various manufacturers to ensure new devices released this year will also support augmented reality games.

Google has also added ARCore support to the Emulator in Android Studio Beta, allowing developers to quickly and easily test their apps.

The internet giant has also assured that ARCore will be supported in China, the world's largest mobile market, thanks to partnership with Huawei, Xiaomi and Samsung. These deals will enable studios to publish AR games through these partner stores as well.

Google's blog post mentions some of the first releases that demonstrate the potential of ARCore but the only games referred to are unnamed titles from NetEase, Wargaming and Game Insight.