Get a Sneak Peek at Xbox Series X Launch Titles with Snapchat Lenses for Halo Infinite, Destiny 2 & More « Smartphones :: Gadget Hacks
Microsoft and Sony are priming their promotional pumps to hype up their respective next-generation gaming consoles, Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, both of which are scheduled to arrive in time for the 2020 holiday season.
The former has enlisted the assistance of Snapchat and its augmented reality sandbox to draw attention to its Xbox Series X launch titles.
Here’s how you can preview Halo Infinite, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, and more with Snapchat Lenses.
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Step 1: Install or Update Snapchat
You’ll need to install the Snapchat app if you want to participate. Alternately, you can access these AR experiences through the Snap Camera desktop app, but this guide will concentrate on the mobile process.
- Install Snapchat: Android (free) | iOS (free)
If you already have Snapchat, go ahead and update it. While these experiences don’t appear to leverage any recently-released features, it’s just a good practice anyway to ensure a well-rounded experience. For example, if you’re on Android, you’ll benefit from the Depth API integration with Snapchat.
Step 2: Scan the Snapcodes
If you are reading this from your desktop, open the app to the camera, then long-press to activate the scanning feature. Then, point the camera to one of the Snapcodes below to unlock the AR experience it represents.
Image via Snap
If you are reading this from your mobile device or you have Snap Camera installed, just tap one of the links below to unlock the Lens in Snapchat.
- Halo Infinite
- Destiny 2
- The Outer Worlds
- Psychonauts 2
- Forza Motorsport
- Avowed
- Minecraft
- State of Decay 3
- Grounded
- As Dusk Falls
- Tell Me Why
- Everwild
Either way, you’ll encounter a dialogue box. Tap the “Unlock” button to proceed.
Step 3: Snap & Share
With the Lens launched to Snapchat’s camera, the effect will load immediately. As all of these experiences all take place, the camera will scan for a face in the view of the front-facing camera and overlay the AR content almost instantaneously.
Tap the shutter button to snap a photo, or hold it down to capture a video of the experience. From there, you can share your photo or video in Snapchat by publishing it to a Story or sending it to a friend through Chat, or you can save it to your camera roll to share through other apps.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 to continue running through the available experiences you wish to capture.
Some of the effects have multiple scenes or are activated by facial movements, so tap the screen or open your mouth to trigger them if instructed to do so. Most of the Lenses also leverage Snapchat’s background segmentation technology, which will insert a virtual background behind you, while others will also place special effects in front of you.
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Cover image, screenshots, and GIFs by Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks