Collaboration in physical and virtual spaces using augmented reality gaming

Abstract

Collaborative Augmented Reality (AR) applications based on smart devices require more research into how people interact with both the application and each other while using them. They show great potential, both in terms of uptake and variety of applications. Comparing activity in collaborative AR with another non-AR system can be valuable for learning new ways that AR techniques can be applied, and can improve the design of future Collaborative Augmented Reality systems. This dissertation focused mainly on user satisfaction, and multiplayer games were chosen as the ideal platform to compare AR and non-AR, because they are essentially collaborative systems that aim to maximize user enjoyment. Enjoyment in games can also be measured by the GameFlow framework, which highlights certain criteria that, if present in the game, might indicate increased enjoyment when compared to similar games which do not have those criteria present. For this purpose, a two-player game using Augmented Reality was created, and this was compared with a real-life scenario using the GameFlow fi'amework. The objective of the game was to build structures using blocks in the shortest amount of time. The participants were timed and recorded using a video camera. Players' perceptions were also recorded through a user survey and a discussion was carried out after the experiment. A total of twenty-two participants attended the game sessions. The results indicated that the Augn1ented Reality mode showed stronger characteristics of GameFlow, particularly in terms of immersion, concentration and social interaction. Other positive characteristics were partially due to the perceived novelty of the application and the technology. Players also suggested new features that make co-ordination simpler, such as a 'laser eye pointer' to track what a player is looking at and display it to their partner in the form of a beam of light. Additional design tips were also elicited from the data that could improve the user experience for Augmented Reality handheld applications.