Paper Reading #4 - Blowtooth: Pervasive Gaming in Unique and Challenging Environments

Reference Info:
Blowtooth: Pervasive Gaming in Unique and Challenging Environments
Conor Linehan,  Ben Kirman, Shaun Lawson, Mark Doughty
CHI 2010, April 10-15 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Comments:
Joe Cabrera

Steven Hennessy

Summary:

This article dealt with a pervasive mobile game that uses the real world environment to play games. Although games like this exists, this games chooses to use an environment in which the thrill and security change the feel of the game. The environment chosen was an airport. The game involves a mobile device with bluetooth capability where users have to smuggle virtual drugs past airport security. This is done by reading in near bluetooth devices. Players must give their drugs to unsuspecting passengers and retrieve them once they get past airport security. This is done by finding passengers who's bluetooth signal you picked up. Score is based on time and number of drugs a player retrieves. Subjects were chosen to play the game and then studies by answering questions afterward. Players seemed to enjoy the game with the environment they participated in and did not much signs of stress for the type of game they were playing, given their scenario. Subjects were asked about the awareness it gave them of their environment. None of them experienced anxiety but became a bit more aware of passengers.

Discussion:
This games seems like it would be a lot of fun. i would enjoy this. I dont think I would feel the anxiety either given the theme of the game. It is just a game and am not doing real harm, so if I were to get caught, there would be no repercussions. I will admit that when I first read the objective of the game, I was taken aback at how daring and inappropriate it sounded. Once they explained how it worked and how users interacted with it, it made a lot more sense and became enjoyable.