A Design of Augmented Tabletop Game Based on RFID Technology

Abstract

Context-aware technology provides a potential to interact between real physical world and virtual information space more directly and naturally, which can improve efficiency and user experience. This paper introduces an exploration of integrating context-aware technology into traditional game, aiming at offering players innovative playing experience. One kind of context-aware technology, namely RFID, and one genre of traditional game, namely tabletop game, were selected to combine together to develop a new genre of game, called Augmented Tabletop Game. The procedure of user-centered design (UCD) was applied during the development. Firstly, player requirements were surveyed and analyzed. And then we determined which functions of RFID could be augmented into the traditional tabletop game, making the game different and more enjoyable. After that, specific game rules and a low fidelity prototype were designed for a usability evaluation, in which six experienced players were invited to do the heuristic evaluation. Finally, a high fidelity prototype was implemented, including game board, control panel, game pieces, graphical/audio output device and data process center, based on the improvements of low fidelity prototype.