# XKCD 12-05-12: I don't quite get it **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 5, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115 "2012-12-05T19:59:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/1 "2012-12-05T19:59:13Z")
> **[Location](https://xkcd.com/1143/)** > > Ingress: Foursquare With Space Noises. I gather that they all want to come to his house in an incredibly cool location, but I’m not placing it; the Pleiades? And I don’t get the mouseover reference. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/2 "2012-12-05T20:00:46Z")
“Ingress” is a game I’ve never heard of, where playing involves standing with your phone in a specific place, I guess. [http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/120312-ingress-264737.html](http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/120312-ingress-264737.html) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/3 "2012-12-05T20:02:00Z")
I’m with you. All I found out by googling is that Ingress is a recently released video game. And not being a video gamer, I accept that jokes based on this subject will usually go over my head. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/4 "2012-12-05T20:02:35Z")
“Ingress” is a game created by Google that combines elements of a traditional game along with GPS tracking of where the individual is. So you have to physically go certain places to accomplish things, which is why these people want to go where they went. I’m not sure if there is as much fighting as the last panel implies, but it would be cool if there were. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/5 "2012-12-05T20:05:04Z")
Useful link: [Explain xkcd wiki](http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page) (and here’s a [direct link to this comic’s entry](http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1143) for people browsing at a later date). ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/6 "2012-12-05T20:05:23Z")
I was stumped until I logged onto the xkcd forums. Apparently Ingress is some Google Android game that involves finding ‘exotic matter’ in certain real-world locations. So the three pushy peeps are Ingress players who’ve found several deposits of game XM on the other guy’s lawn; they’re going to use their phones to collect it when they come over for the visit. And apparently I get no XM of my own. ☹ Too slow. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/7 "2012-12-05T20:32:44Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > “Ingress” is a game I’ve never heard of, where playing involves standing with your phone in a specific place, I guess. > > [http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/120312-ingress-264737.html](http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/120312-ingress-264737.html) That sounds…pretty damn cool. I read a William Gibson novel a few years ago (don’t remember the name) that revolved around a similar kind of real-world interaction with virtual-world information overlays, and, well, here it is in the future. ---
**Author:** ![dataguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/8 "2012-12-05T21:57:57Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > That sounds…pretty damn cool. I read a William Gibson novel a few years ago (don’t remember the name) that revolved around a similar kind of real-world interaction with virtual-world information overlays, and, well, here it is in the future. The future is more evenly distributed everyday. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/9 "2012-12-05T22:19:12Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > That sounds…pretty damn cool. I read a William Gibson novel a few years ago (don’t remember the name) that revolved around a similar kind of real-world interaction with virtual-world information overlays, and, well, here it is in the future. Sounds like “[Halting State](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halting_State)” by Charles Stross. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/10 "2012-12-05T22:43:55Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Apparently Ingress is some Google Android game that involves finding ‘exotic matter’ in certain real-world locations. So the three pushy peeps are Ingress players who’ve found several deposits of game XM on the other guy’s lawn; they’re going to use their phones to collect it when they come over for the visit. I’m imagining two muggers sitting in a dark alley, talking about why they think people with smartphones keep showing up. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/11 "2012-12-05T22:49:03Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Apparently Ingress is some Google Android game that involves finding ‘exotic matter’ in certain real-world locations. So the three pushy peeps are Ingress players who’ve found several deposits of game XM on the other guy’s lawn; they’re going to use their phones to collect it when they come over for the visit. So basically it’s geocaching, but 1% more interesting? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/12 "2012-12-05T22:53:41Z")
Odd they’d use the name (more or less) of a well known classic [relational database program](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingres_(database)). ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/13 "2012-12-05T23:15:45Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > So basically it’s geocaching, but 1% more interesting? Far more profitable, when the next phase I expect goes into effect. In Phase II, Google sells XM and event locations to businesses for advertising purposes. Want to draw a bunch of people with enough money for smartphones to your business on opening day? Pay Google to put a large XM source at your store’s coordinates. Players within your store’s locus will drop by to harvest it, see your store, and maybe come inside to check it out. Even if they don’t, the extra traffic will make you look busy, which can attract further attention. It’s like have a loss-leader, without the loss. I pitched this idea a year or two ago, but I don’t have enough evil marketeer in me to push it. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/14 "2012-12-05T23:18:16Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > That sounds…pretty damn cool. I read a William Gibson novel a few years ago (don’t remember the name) that revolved around a similar kind of real-world interaction with virtual-world information overlays, and, well, here it is in the future. “Zero History” is the one you’re thinking of. Aside from “Halting State” by Stross, there’s also “This is Not a Game” by Walter Jon Williams. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/15 "2012-12-05T23:52:05Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > I’m imagining two muggers sitting in a dark alley, talking about why they think people with smartphones keep showing up. Can we name them Estragon and Vladimir? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/16 "2012-12-06T01:32:55Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Can we name them Estragon and Vladimir? Waiting for GoDaddy ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/17 "2012-12-06T05:28:23Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Sounds like “[Halting State](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halting_State)” by Charles Stross. Also Daemon and Freedom by Daniel Suarez. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/18 "2012-12-06T13:12:33Z")
[Here’s the official Ingress web site](http://www.ingress.com/) [And here’s the viral site that goes with it](http://www.nianticproject.com/) [And the obligatory user site](http://ingressfieldguide.com/) [Gameplay image](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7779045/2012-11-27%2019.27.58.png) Here’s the basic setup blurb > [@](#): > > The primary goal of the game is defend the takeover of the human race by an unknown “Shaper” force or, depending on your perspective, to assist in an “Enlightenment” of mankind through an alliance with the Shapers. This is accomplished by aligning with either the Resistance or the Enlightened faction and by creating “Control Fields” over geographic areas. Progress in the game is measured by the number of Mind Units controlled by each Faction (visible on the Intel Map). > XM Control Fields are established by claiming Portals and then linking Portals together to form Fields. More powerful Portals can link over longer distances (up to hundreds of kilometers). The link range of a Portal is determined by the power of the attached Resonators. Portal Keys are needed to form links. > > When three Portals are linked to form a triangle, a Control Field is established over the region. It will be rendered on the Scanner as a hazy blue or green field over the area. The number of Mind Units claimed is related to the population density of the area covered. Cities yield more Mind Units than rural areas. > > Your ultimate goal is to cooperate with other players in your Faction to secure or liberate the entire world. The initial portals were libraries, post offices, historical markers and the like, but Google is allowing people to submit new sites for portals. ---
**Author:** ![wayward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/19 "2012-12-06T14:49:24Z")
Basically a clever way for Google to collect map data for walking routes, as I understand it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115/20 "2012-12-06T21:00:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Balance** : > > Far more profitable, when the next phase I expect goes into effect. In Phase II, Google sells XM and event locations to businesses for advertising purposes. Want to draw a bunch of people with enough money for smartphones to your business on opening day? Pay Google to put a large XM source at your store’s coordinates. Players within your store’s locus will drop by to harvest it, see your store, and maybe come inside to check it out. Even if they don’t, the extra traffic will make you look busy, which can attract further attention. It’s like have a loss-leader, without the loss. On thinking about it, it’s even better than that. Not only are you attracting large numbers of people to the vicinity of your store, you’re attracting large numbers of _smartphone users_ to the vicinity of your store. Which is to say, people with disposable income. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-12-05-12-i-dont-quite-get-it/643115.md?page=2)