Abstract: In this paper we present a platform for developing mobile, locative and collaborative distributed games comprised of small programmable object technologies (e.g., wireless sensor networks) and traditional networked processors.
The platform is implemented using a combination of JAVA
Standard and Mobile editions, targeting also mobile phones
that have some kind of sensors installed. We briefly present
the architecture of our platform and demonstrate its capabilities by reporting two pervasive multiplayer games. The key
characteristic of these games is that players interact with each
other and their surrounding environment by moving, running
and gesturing as a means to perform game related actions, using small programmable object technologies.
Abstract: We examine multi-player pervasive games that rely on the
use of ad-hoc mobile sensor networks. The unique feature in
such games is that players interact with each other and their
surrounding environment by using movement and presence
as a means of performing game-related actions, utilizing sen-
sor devices. We brie
y discuss the fundamental issues and
challenges related to these type of games and the scenar-
ios associated with them. We have also developed a frame-
work, called Fun in Numbers (FinN) that handles a number
of these issues, such as such as neighbors discovery, local-
ization, synchronization and delay-tolerant communication.
FinN is developed using Java and is based on a multilayer ar-
chitecture, which provides developers with a set of templates
and services for building and operating new games.
Abstract: We here present Fun in Numbers (FinN), a framework for developing pervasive applications and interactive installations for entertainment and educational purposes. Using ad hoc mobile wireless sensor network nodes as the enabling devices, FinN allows for the quick prototyping of applications that utilize input from multiple physical sources (sensors and other means of interfacing), by o ffering a set of programming templates and services, such as topology discovery, localization and synchronization, that hide the underlying complexity. We present the target application domains of FinN, along with a set of multiplayer games and interactive installations. We describe the overall architecture of our platform
and discuss some key implementation issues of the application domains. Finally, we present the experience gained by deploying the applications developed with our platform.
Abstract: Fun in Numbers (FinN) is a platform for developing and playing mobile, locative and collaborative distributed games
using wireless sensors. Using FinN, a very large and diverse set of games can be enhanced, by maximizing the on-game
experience and collecting statistics for off-line, web-based view. At the same time the essence of such games remains the
same: fun in large numbers, in every place and at any time. FinN is implemented using a combination of JAVA Standard
and Mobile editions, while on the hardware part we use wireless sensor devices, called Sun SPOTs. In the future, mobile
phones that have some kind of sensors embedded, or other custom devices can be used for the same purpose. We report a
number of examples of games created with FinN and briefly present the architecture of our platform.
Abstract: We discuss two different ways of having fun with two different kinds of games: On the one hand, we present a framework for developing multiplayer pervasive games that rely on the use of mobile sensor networks. On the other hand, we show how to exploit game theoretic concepts in order to study the graph-theoretic problem of vertex coloring.
Abstract: In this work we discuss Fun in Numbers, a software platform for implementing multiplayer games and interactive installations, that are based on the use of ad hoc mobile sensing devices. We utilize a detailed log of a three-day long public showcase as a basis to discuss the implementation issues related to a set of games and installations, which are examples of this unique category of applications, utilizing a blend of technologies. We discuss their fundamental concepts and features, also arguing that they have many aspects and potential uses. The architecture of the platform and implementation details are highlighted in this work, along with detailed descriptions of the protocols used. Our experiments shed light on a number of key issues, such as network scaling and real-time performance, and we provide experiments regarding cross-layer software issues. We additionally provide data showing that such games and installations can be efficiently supported by our platform, with as many as 50 concurrent players in the same physical space. These results are backed up by a user evaluation study from a large sample of 136 visitors, which shows that such applications can be seriously fun.
Abstract: The possibilities offered by utilizing sensors and pervasive computing technologies for creating large-scale multiplayer games are discussed in this chapter. Such game installations constitute a new social form of play taking place in public spaces. A main characteristic is the need to scale to a large number of users and engage players located simultaneously in dispersed areas, thus connected both on a local and Internet level. Fun in Numbers is a platform for developing and playing mobile, locative and collaborative distributed games and interactive installations, based on the participation of large numbers of people and their movement in the physical space. Players interact with each other using a wide range of hardware devices that are either generic (smartphones) or specific (sensor devices A set of related fundamental issues drawn upon the experience from several public events, where the FinN platform supported as many as 50 local users at the same time, is hereby presented.
Abstract: We present here, Fun in Numbers, a framework for developing multiplayer pervasive games that rely on the use of ad hoc mobile sensor networks. The unique feature in such games is that players interact with each other and their surrounding environment by using movement and presence as a means of performing game-related actions, utilizing sensor devices. We present the fundamental issues and challenges related to these type of games and the scenarios associated with them is provided. Our framework is developed using Java and is based on a multilayer architecture, which provides developers with a set of templates and services for building and operating new games. Our framework handles a number of challenging fundamental and practical issues, such as synchronization, network congestion, delay-tolerant communication and neighbors discovery. We also present our platform and identify issues that arise in pervasive games which utilize sensor network nodes. The implemented games show how to use non-conventional user interface methods to breathe new life into familiar concepts, like the multiplayer games played out in open space.
Abstract: In this work, we discuss multiplayer pervasive
games that rely on the use of ad hoc mobile sensor networks.
The unique feature in such games is that players interact
with each other and their surrounding environment by using
movement and presence as a means of performing game-related
actions, utilizing sensor devices. We discuss the fundamental
issues and challenges related to these type of games and the
scenarios associated with them. We also present and evaluate
an example of such a game, called the “Hot Potato”, developed
using the Sun SPOT hardware platform. We provide a set of
experimental results, so as to both evaluate our implementation
and also to identify issues that arise in pervasive games which
utilize sensor network nodes, which show that there is great
potential in this type of games.
Abstract: In this work we present two mobile, locative and collaborative distributed games that are played using wireless sensor
devices. We briefly present the architecture of the two games
and demonstrate their capabilities. The key characteristic of
these games is that players interact with each other and their
surrounding environment by moving, running and gesturing as a mean to perform game related actions, using sensor devices. We demonstrate our system by implementing it using
a combination of JAVA Standard and Mobile editions.
