AR game restrictions ruled unconstitutional by district judge

A Wisconsin ordinance decreeing that augmented reality developers must get special permits if their apps encourage play in county parks has been ruled unconstitutional by a district judge.

It's a notable decision that could affect how augmented reality game devs operate and design games in the long-term. 

As reported by Ars Technica, the law was challenged by mobile studio Candy Lab, creators of augmented reality poker game Texas Rope 'Em, on First Amendment grounds. 

The California-based studio claims the ruling places restraints on developer's freedom of speech, and subsequently sued Milwaukee Country after it implemented the ordinance in response to Pokemon Go's summer of madness. 

After hearing the argument, U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller issued a preliminary injunction blocking Milwaukee Country from imposing the law until after the outcome of a trial. 

The trial is expected to go ahead sometime in April -- although the date isn't set in stone yet -- and will ultimately determine whether AR developers and their games are protected by the First Amendment.