My Newest Obsession - Ingress

I have always been late to the party.  It  does not matter what area it is, I am one of the last to adopt to it.  We just bought our first flat screen TV last year and our first laptops this year.  I did not start Geocaching until 2007 (it started in 2000).  The only high end cell phone I have ever had was an HTC One (M7) that I got shortly after it was released (my work phone) and I still have it.

About 1.5  months ago or so I read an article that made me curious about a game experience called Ingress that was made available to the public in beta form on Oct 30, 2013 and general release on Dec 15, 2013.  Before June 10, I never heard of it and at that time was not following much in the gaming community.  I loaded the app, signed up, and joined a faction.  I did a little Ingress playing (doing a mission or two) in the local DFW area before going on vacation (staying in WV, VA,  NC, GA).  When I arrived in WV, I completed a few missions and was able to get to level 5 before I made it back to Texas on July 5th.

I hacked/linked/attacked/modded all along the 3200 mile trip by car (actually my 2010 Tacoma) but did not really get into it until I made it back to TX where I achieved R8 on July 26.  Not bad for me.

Leveling up is pretty easy for the first 5 levels.  I managed to go up from 3-5 pretty quickly while in WV just by driving to and from a nearby park, walking it, and driving home as well as walking to a park that is even closer to my mom's house and hitting it up every day.

Things get harder at L6 but it is still not overly hard to level up.  At L8 the system changes and to advance levels you need not only points, but medals as well.  For example, you need 2.4 million points plus 4 silver and one gold to make level 9.  Right now I have 3 silver and one gold and all the rest with the exception of two, are bronze.  I am about halfway to silver on most of those.

Levels and needed AP/Medals:

• L1 Agent = 0 AP
• L2 Agent = 2,500 AP
• L3 Agent = 20,000 AP
• L4 Agent = 70,000 AP
• L5 Agent = 150,000 AP
• L6 Agent = 300,000 AP
• L7 Agent = 600,000 AP
• L8 Agent = 1,200,000 AP
• L9 Agent =  2,400,000 AP + 1 gold 4 silver
• L10 Agent = 4,000,000 AP + 2 gold 5 silver
• L11 Agent = 6,000,000 AP + 4 gold 6 silver
• L12 Agent = 8,400,000 AP + 6 gold 7 silver
• L13 Agent = 12,000,000 AP + 1 Platinum 7 Gold
• L14 Agent = 17,000,000 AP + 2 Platinum 7 Gold
• L15 Agent = 24,000,000 AP + 3 Platinum 7 Gold
• L16 Agent = 40,000,000 AP + 2 Black 4 Platinum 7 Gold

I have managed to recruit several players in several states (WV, GA, and TX) and so far they all are enjoying the experience.

I have to say I am completely engrossed in this activity and have met a few players without attending any functions, although I hope to attend at least one in the future.

More Links

Google Help Page (Duh)
Field Guide (slightly out dated)
Wikia page
Ingress Intel Total Conversion (neat Intel page hacks)
Niantic Project (Older)
Decode Ingress (Very Helpful)