Designing Asymmetrical Collaborative Gameplay for Heterogeneous Device Ecosystems

Abstract

Mobile devices have become a major market consideration for developers in recent years, as smartphones and tablets become part of a new technological and social space. However, game experiences on mobile platforms still don’t offer an acceptable level of interconnectivity across diverse ecosystems. This thesis prototypes a compelling multiplayer game experience that works in a heterogeneous environment. It explores the potential of cross-platform development tools to create asymmetrical gameplay between different devices. The end goal of this thesis is to develop a set of techniques and guidelines to be used in designing heterogeneous gaming experiences. Research will be conducted into existing solutions for cross-platform play, and methods to address the limitations of current cross-platform ecosystems will be explored. In support of this research, a demonstrative multiplayer collaborative gaming experience has been created, with an emphasis on seamless design and user interactions tailored to device features and constraints. This experience seeks to address the impracticality of gaming with friends across mobile platforms. The game uses cloud server connection technology to link users, and examine the role of users and user interaction techniques in a collaborative experience.%%%%M.S., Digital Media – Drexel University, 2013