The multimedia challenges raised by pervasive games

Abstract

Pervasive gaming is a new form of multimedia entertainment that extends the traditional computer gaming experience out into the real world. Through a combination of personal devices, positioning systems and other multimedia sensors, combined with wireless networking, a pervasive game can respond to a player's movements and context and enable them to communicate with a game server and other players. We review recent examples of pervasive games in order to explain their distinctive characteristics as multimedia applications. We then consider the challenge of scaling pervasive games to include potentially very large numbers of players. We propose a new approach based upon a campaign model in which individuals, local groups and experts draw on a combination of pervasive games, online services and broadcasting to take part in national or even global events. We discuss the challenges that this raises for further research.

Expanding social mobile games beyond the device screen

“…[47], use the player's location as data input for the game. In these games, players equipped with mobile devices move through the outdoor game world while sensors attempt to capture contextual information based on their location [3,9] to provide a richer experience. Pervasive gaming has evolved with the emergence of mobile devices equipped with GPS, 4G LTE, cameras, and a host of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, heart rate, light, proximity, etc) leading to the development of complex and large-scale games [28,47].…”

Creating scalable location-based games: lessons from Geocaching

“…Second, after analyzing several location-based games (Savannah [8], Uncle Roy [7], Can You See Me Now? [6]), Capra et al [9] suggest games can scale to large numbers of users through "campaign strategies" where players upload multimedia from their own personal devices in conjunction with events organized by local organizations. Here we see the beginning of the idea that players may directly contribute to game content.…”

“…One challenge that exists with many location-based games is the creation and orchestration of game content and activities [9]. By creation, we mean the construction and placement of game content.…”

“…Here the orchestration needs are highly dynamic [9]. In contrast to a typical board game, orchestration is far more complex: the physical constraints of the game appear unbounded to the player, as do the rules (i.e., who to interact with).…”

“…If it is done poorly, players may not enjoy the game or may be at risk; perhaps, even worse, non-players who do not realize they are part of a game as bystanders may be at risk [9].…”