After lamenting the absence of (public) contenders for the $10m Google Android coding prize, mobile first-person shooter WiFi Army could stand a chance of scooping some of that cash with its blend of GPS, Google Maps and the camera likely to be included in most gPhones.  Developed by W2Pi Entertainment, players register online with a current photo and then rivals attempt to locate them using GPS-fed Google Maps.  Points are scored by “shooting” opponents with the camera; their image is compared to that on the server to confirm their identity. 

Check out the demo videos of WiFi Army after the cut

Currently open to beta signups - and limited to just 500 per city as W2Pi test their servers - the software is yet to be released (as are the Android-powered handsets to play it on, of course) but the programmers are working on adding modules such as VoIP between players, local GPS user status (for instance if you’re out shopping with your grandmother and don’t want to be the victim of a megapixel-headshot) and a WiFi battle engine.

Of course, WiFi Army won’t be the first GPS-enabled mobile application available; a Germany city already has a permanent, pervasive game called REXplorer which uses GPS and an adapted Nokia cellphone to allow visitors to interact with historical and fictional characters and events.

[WiFi Army via Newlaunches]