Abstract: Pervasive games are a new type of digital games that combines game and physical reality within the gameplay. This novel game type raises unprecedented research and design challenges for developers and urges the exploration of new technologies and methods to create high quality game experiences and design novel and compelling forms of content for the players. This chapter follows a systematic approach to explore the landscape of pervasive gaming. First, the authors approach pervasive games from a theoretical point of view, defining the four axes of pervasive games design, introducing the concept of game world persistency, and describing aspects of spatially/temporally/socially expanded games. Then, they present ten pervasive game projects, classified in five genres based on their playing environment and features. Following that, the authors present a comparative view of those projects with respect to several design aspects: communication and localization, context and personal awareness aspects, information model, player equipment, and game space visualization. Last, the authors highlight current trends, design principles, and future directions for pervasive games development.
Abstract: This work is an attempt to present and describe the design and implementation of a system for the cooperative multiplayer control of gaming and entertainment-related software, based on the use of mobile devices with wireless networking capabilities. We are currently using wireless sensor networking devices as the enabling platform, and our prototype application is based on Google Earth�s integrated flight simulator.
Abstract: Pervasive games represent a radically new game form that extends
gaming experiences out into the physical world, weaving ICTs
into the fabric of players’ real environment. This emerging type of
games is rather challenging for developers who are engaged in
exploring new technologies and methods to achieve high quality
interactive experience for players. This paper follows a systematic
approach to explore the landscape of pervasive gaming. First, we
present ten representative pervasive game projects, classified in
five genres based on their playing environment and features.
Then, we present a comparative view of those projects with
respect to several design aspects. Last, we shed light on current
trends, design principles and future directions for pervasive games
development.
Abstract: A collection of pervasive street games is presented in this paper, that constitute a new social form of play taking place in public spaces, such as city parks, public spaces and streets. The main characteristic of these games is the ability to scale to a large number of players (in some cases involving more than 40 players) and can engage players located simultaneously in dispersed areas. Players interact with each other using a wide range of hardware devices that are either generic (such as smart phones) or specific (such as wireless sensor devices). We discuss a set of fundamental issues related to game design emphasizing on the one hand the interaction of the players with the ubiquitous computing environment and on the other hand the embedding of the game rules within the environment. The games are developed using open source technologies and evaluated in a series of events such as the Athens Plaython 2012 festival. The feedback received from the players indicates that this new form of gaming is indeed very promising.
