Meow Wolf, known for its story worlds and immersive multimedia art, has partnered with Niantic Spatial to explore multimedia art with augmented reality.
They are working on a proof of concept to bring those worlds beyond the walls of physical exhibitions and into the world of AR.
Niantic Spatial is a geospatial AI company transforming how people and machines understand and interact with the physical world. Together, the two companies are exploring how location-based AR—powered by Niantic’s Visual Positioning System (VPS)—could unlock new ways for audiences to engage with Meow Wolf’s Universe in everyday environments.
Niantic Spatial is based on tech built for games like Ingress and Pokemon Go, but Niantic Spatial sold off its games like Pokemon Go to Scopely for $3.5 billion while keeping Ingress and its geospatial technology. The deal recently closed.
Meow Wolf Grapevines art by Paul Torres.
The Niantic Spatial partnership launches with a closed beta activation later this year at Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station in Denver. This initial phase will test ways to connect real-world discovery with in-exhibition storytelling. If successful, the collaboration could evolve into a broader multiplayer platform that invites users to explore art, uncover storylines, solve spatial challenges, and contribute to a shared universe beyond traditional exhibition walls.
“This partnership with Niantic Spatial can open portals to an entirely new layer of imagination,” said Vince Kadlubek, Meow Wolf chief vision officer, in a statement. “The world becomes a canvas for creative expression—a scavenger hunt for physical and digital art.”
“Meow Wolf’s narrative universe is unlike anything else—layered, nonlinear, and emotionally resonant,” said Thomas Gewecke, COO and president at Niantic Spatial, in a statement. “It’s a perfect match for geospatial AR, where your surroundings become part of the story.”
While still in development, the goal is to prototype an experience where participants can engage with Meow Wolf content across city streets, parks, and public spaces—unlocking portals, discovering monumental art, and diving into layers of hidden lore. Inside Meow Wolf exhibitions, those same interactions could carry over, offering deeper story progression and access to exclusive content.
Possible features under exploration include:
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