In the recent years location-based services have become more and more popular due to advanced mobile devices that make the use of these services very convenient. With the rise of location-based services location-based games will also gain popularity and become more wide spread.
This seminar paper describes game patterns and new game types that are possible with location based games. It also examines different techniques to determine the geolocation of players, and it analyses the changes to the game experiences known from traditional video games.
Ultimately this paper gives an overview of the current state of the art concerning location-based games and discusses several issues and possibilities concerning the implementation of one.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Overview
2.1 Game Patterns of LBGs
2.2 Search-and-Find
2.3 Follow-the-Path
2.4 Chase-and-Catch
2.5 Change-of-Distance
2.6 LBG Usage Possibilities
2.7 Entertainment
2.8 Education
2.9 Physical Activity
2.10 Advertising
2.11 Data Acquisition
3 Determining Player Positions
3.1 (A-)GPS
3.2 Cell-ID
3.3 Wi-Fi Access Points
3.4 IP Geolocating
3.5 Real World Artifacts
3.6 Self-reported Positioning
3.7 Combination of Methods
4 Changes to the Game Experience
4.1 Social Interaction
4.2 Perception of Real World
5 Conclusion
6 Future Challenges
6.1 Energy Consumption
6.2 (In)Accuracy of Positioning Systems
6.3 Location-based Cheating
6.4 Telling a Story
6.5 Delimiting the Game Field
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolution and implementation of location-based mobile games (LBGs), exploring how mobile device features, particularly geolocation, transform traditional gaming experiences. The primary goal is to provide an overview of current game patterns, technical positioning methods, and the social/experiential implications of blurring the boundaries between physical reality and virtual game worlds.
- Analysis of core game patterns such as Search-and-Find, Chase-and-Catch, and Change-of-Distance.
- Technical evaluation of positioning systems including GPS, Cell-ID, Wi-Fi, and real-world artifacts.
- Investigation into how location-based gaming alters social interaction and player perception of the real world.
- Discussion of practical implementation challenges, including energy consumption, location-based cheating, and game field delimitation.
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4.1 Social Interaction
In a multiplayer video game the social interaction is always delimited by the game, at least to a certain extent. One of the basic means of communication is natural speech. Since most games only offer a text-based chat function, natural speech is not always available there. Even in games that offer a voice communication it is not assured that other players can hear the communication because it can always be switched off during the game, or the sound system of the gaming device can simply be turned off. This inability to communicate in a natural way distorts the game experience and makes it surreal. This perception is strengthened by the fact that the real world identity of a player is only known by his friends, while other players just encounter his avatar. The game world is thus perceived more as an anonymous world without rules then as a social platform like a meeting or a traditional form of non virtual play.
One effect of this surrealism and anonymity within multiplayer video games is the frequent disrespectful behavior between players. This aggressive insulting of other players has been coined ”flaming” by the gaming community. The existence of a term for this behavior already indicates its frequent occurrence.
In a LBG the situation is very different since the players usually meet in person as soon as they are close enough. For this reason, they can communicate naturally and the player character loses its anonymity. Thus the game is more seen as a social event and players are more likely to adopt social norms within the game and when communicating with each other.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the rise of the smart phone market and how location-based services enable new, immersive gaming experiences that blur reality and virtual worlds.
2 Overview: Defines location-based games (LBGs) and categorizes their core mechanics into patterns like Search-and-Find and Chase-and-Catch, while outlining their diverse usage in sectors like education and entertainment.
3 Determining Player Positions: Evaluates various technical methods to track user movement, comparing the accuracy, energy efficiency, and suitability of GPS, Cell-ID, Wi-Fi, and other location-sensing technologies.
4 Changes to the Game Experience: Analyzes how location-based gameplay shifts social dynamics and human perception, moving from anonymous, stationary gaming to social, reality-integrated interactions.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the potential of LBGs to open new markets and reach new audiences by leveraging advanced mobile technology and the unique connection between physical movement and game activity.
6 Future Challenges: Addresses critical barriers to widespread LBG adoption, specifically energy limitations, technical accuracy, location-based cheating, and the difficulty of defining virtual boundaries in the physical world.
Keywords
Location-based games, LBGs, smart phones, GPS, mobile gaming, game patterns, positioning systems, social interaction, mixed reality, geolocation, energy consumption, location-based cheating, game design, user positioning, data acquisition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the technical and design aspects of location-based mobile games (LBGs), analyzing how modern mobile devices use geolocation to create immersive experiences that interact with the real world.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers four major pillars: current game patterns (like Search-and-Find), technical positioning methods, the resulting changes in player social interaction, and future implementation challenges.
What is the overarching research goal?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of LBGs, explaining how their unique mechanics and requirements differ from traditional video games and what challenges developers face.
Which scientific methods are primarily utilized?
The paper utilizes a literature-based review and analytical comparison, evaluating existing game examples and research studies to categorize technical positioning methods and design patterns.
What topics are analyzed in the main body?
The main body examines the classification of game patterns, the effectiveness of various tracking technologies, the shift in social norms when playing in public, and the hurdles of energy consumption and cheating.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include location-based games, geolocation, mobile devices, positioning systems, social interaction, mixed reality, and location-based cheating.
Why is energy consumption considered a major challenge for LBGs?
Continuous GPS usage significantly drains smart phone batteries, which can discourage players from long-term participation and limits the viability of certain resource-heavy game designs.
How does a location-based game differ from a traditional video game regarding social norms?
In LBGs, players often meet in the real world, which reduces anonymity and encourages natural, socially-regulated behavior, whereas traditional games often foster anonymous environments prone to "flaming."
- Quote paper
- L. A. Lehmann (Author), 2012, Location-based Mobile Games, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/187510
