Location-based Augmented Reality Game Research Articles

Enhancing visitor experiences and economic outcomes through gamified AR: The impact of a Location-Based Augmented Reality Game in agritourism

Agritourism merges agricultural activities with tourism, offering visitors immersive and educational experiences. While augmented reality (AR) has been studied in various tourism contexts, limited research explores its application in agritourism. This study explores the integration of a location-based augmented reality game (LBARG) into agritourism, assessing its impact on visitor experiences, time spent, spending behavior, and revisit intentions. To compare the quality of experiences, revisit intentions, spending, and time spent between the intervention and control groups, a one-way MANOVA was conducted. Pearson correlation analysis examined the relationship between coupons received and spending. Linear regressions explored the impact of game features (e.g., voucher redemption, exploration, coin collection, spinning the wheel) on revisit intentions, time spent, and spending. These analyses highlighted the connections between game features, user behavior, and spending patterns. The findings reveal that a LBARG significantly enhances immediate visitor experiences and spending, although it do not significantly increase revisit intentions. This research provides empirical evidence on the impact of LBARGs in agritourism, showing that augmented reality technologies can enhance visitor engagement and spending at agritourism sites.

Creating Location-Based Augmented Reality Games and Immersive Experiences for Touristic Destination Marketing and Education

The aim of this paper is to present an approach that utilizes several mixed reality technologies for touristic promotion and education. More specifically, mixed reality applications and games were created to promote the mountainous areas of Western Macedonia, Greece, and to educate visitors on various aspects of these destinations, such as their history and cultural heritage. Location-based augmented reality (AR) games were designed to guide the users to visit and explore the destinations, get informed, gather points and prizes by accomplishing specific tasks, and meet virtual characters that tell stories. Furthermore, an immersive lab was established to inform visitors about the region of interest through mixed reality content designed for entertainment and education. The lab visitors can experience content and games through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) wearable devices. Likewise, 3D content can be viewed through special stereoscopic monitors. An evaluation of the lab experience was performed with a sample of 82 visitors who positively evaluated features of the immersive experience such as the level of satisfaction, immersion, educational usefulness, the intention to visit the mountainous destinations of Western Macedonia, intention to revisit the lab, and intention to recommend the experience to others.

Design of a location-based augmented reality game for the development of key 21st century competences in primary education

The use of augmented reality games (ARGs) in education has gained increased attention from curriculum developers, teachers, and researchers in the past decade. Research findings show that ARGs can promote meaningful learning environments that foster key competences for the 21st century. This paper presents the design process of “EcoAegean”, an ARG for mobile devices, which was implemented in primary classroom environments to support the development of students’ key competences in the context of sustainability. The game was created using an open augmented reality software platform and its design was based on contemporary theoretical underpinnings regarding the use of such games in educational contexts. In the first section of the paper, we describe the design procedures of the learning scenario as well as the game itself. In the last section of the paper, we offer a set of critical insights on the design and implementation of mobile augmented reality games for the purpose of supporting students’ development of key 21st century competences.

Users’ Perspectives on Ethical Issues Related to Playing Location-Based Augmented Reality Games: A Case Study of Pokémon GO

ABSTRACT Location-based augmented reality games are becoming increasingly popular, which causes a variety of tensions among players as well as between players and non-players. Subsequently, numerous ethical issues and challenges in designing and playing these games emerged. We conducted an online survey and analyzed 2,023 responses to better understand users’ participation in various game actions in location-based augmented reality games, and their perspectives on how ethical the actions are and for what reasons. We provide descriptive statistics showing people’s participation in these actions and analyze users’ expressed reasons as to why they think these actions are ethical or not. We use the theoretical lens of three ethical traditions–consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics–in our analysis, showing the dominance of consequentialism and deontology in people’s ethical judgment related to playing the game, and discuss implications and future consideration for game design.

Convergence between the real and the augmented: Experiences and perceptions in location-based games

Location-based augmented reality (AR) games have recently become massively popular, generating billions of dollars in revenue during the past five years. These games augment geographical areas with playful content, which makes the playing experience dependent on both the game and the playing location. Existing games have employed various methods for increasing the connection between the game and the physical world, such as (1) an AR mode that lets players see virtual objects in the physical world through the lens of their mobile device; and (2) connecting the game’s virtual points of interest (PoIs) to physical world objects. To explore how these influence the playing experience, we surveyed players (N = 74) across four popular location-based AR games. We analyzed the data using a thematic clustering approach, which resulted in five central themes. Among our findings was that only 7% of the surveyed players regularly used or appreciated AR features that made use of the mobile device’s camera. The most often given reason for this was that they slow down progression. By contrast, players appreciated location-based features and the augmentation of digital content on a map interface. Connecting the virtual content to physical world objects was seen to have the benefits of (1) supporting social meetings; (2) enabling learning about the real world; and (3) increasing the meaningfulness of the virtual content.

Educating Adults with a Location-Based Augmented Reality Game: A Content Analysis Approach

With the exception of Pokémon Go, relatively little is known about other Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) games, and the attitudes of middle-aged and elderly adults towards them are hitherto poorly examined. The aim of this research is to examine the opinions of young, middle-aged, and elderly adults about the location-based MAR game Ingress. The responses to questions related to Ingress were collected from 24 adult players aged 20–60 from Greece and subsequently were analyzed by means of content analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively, using the Jaccard index of similarity. Our findings showed that opinions of young people (20–35) agree more with those of elderly adults (>52) than with those of the intermediate age group of 36–51. It was also revealed that knowledge of geography facilitates the ability to play the game better, the game’s scenario is very interesting to adults, and the feeling of playing locally in a global game is also appreciated by all age groups. Along with these findings, with this research, it was shown that (a) content analysis is a valuable method for exploring opinions and attitudes of adult users towards MAR games and (b) Jaccard indices can be used to quantitatively explore themes emerging from content analysis.

Location-Based Game Platform for Behavioral Data Collection in Disaster Rescue Scenarios

Location-based games are an emerging paradigm for training, simulation, entertainment, health and many other domains. In this paper, we consider the role of location-based games as a platform for data collection and analysis of human behavior. We also examine how human teams perform in a disaster scenario when such a scenario is mapped to a game environment conducted as a location-based augmented reality game. We use a pilot experiment to study human behavior between simulated disaster rescue teams and an integrated commander for the purpose of future research into improving exploitation of local tasks versus exploration of assigned objectives by disaster response teams. We show the results of our pilot experiment, analyze the effectiveness of this game as a data collection platform and then investigate how additional experiments may be conducted to formalize this problem further.

How Do Location-Based Augmented Reality Games Improve Physical and Mental Health? Evaluating the Meanings and Values of Pokémon Go Users' Experiences through the Means-End Chain Theory.

New technology has dramatically changed online games and blurred the boundary between active and passive activities. This study aims to explore the meanings and values of augmented reality online games by examining users’ Pokémon Go experiences through the means-end chain theory. Using data from interviews with 34 Pokémon Go users, this study adopts the soft laddering method to identify Pokémon Go’s potential attributes, consequences, and values, and to construct a hierarchical value map. The results indicated that Pokémon Go users pursue social relationships through play, and these relationships are triggered by the benefits of making new friends, maintaining current relationships with friends and family, and the attributes of prevalence, childhood memory, game design, and augmented reality. Subsequently, this study describes how Pokémon Go can be considered an active leisure activity because of its social, mental, and physical benefits and assesses the implications of its findings.

Developing a novel psychographic-behavioral qualitative mapping method for exergames

Location-based augmented reality games, used in several smartphone devices, have the potential to improve health outcomes by transforming gaming from a sedentary leisure pursuit to an active leisure pursuit thus having positive physical, psychological and social implications. We consider two games, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Pokémon GO, by qualitatively mapping both psychographic and behavioral data to profile groups of players to fully understand how we can better design location-based augmented reality exergames to improve exercise and health. Data was collected through an online open-ended, text-box survey (proforma) hosted on Qualtrics, with participants reached via virtual snowballing. The proforma was posted on four subreddit forums dedicated to Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Pokémon GO for two weeks, and 1052 participants responded. Our study aligns with a deductive category application, with all highlighted excerpts coded using a predetermined coding scheme. Overall, three themes were identified: 1) Player Loyalty, 2) Player Involvement and 3) Player Constraints. We conclude that psychographic constraints experienced can negatively influence player preference and behavior. However, psychographic enablers such as player involvement with the franchise and player loyalty toward the brand can act to sustain continued gameplay across different player types and should not be underestimated as a powerful influence in decision-making, choice behavior, and behavior change (to improve exercise and health).

DOES PLAYING LOCATION-BASED AUGMENTED REALITY GAME INCREASES THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

Recently, there are an increasing trend in location-based augmented reality (AR) games that require players to move around physically to acquire the in-game features as well as game bonuses. The introduction of this location-based augmented reality (AR) games, specifically, Pokémon Go, has made the players physically move around to achieve higher levels and indirectly, improves the level of physical activity. Thus, the objective of the current study is to examine the association between the time spent playing location-based AR games specifically Pokémon Go, and the level of physical activity of the players in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was circulated among Pokémon Go players and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 players were recruited in the study. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to identify the level of physical activity. The association between time spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity were examined using the Chi-square test. The results of the current study showed no significant association between days spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity (p = .14), hours spent playing Pokémon Go and physical activity (p = .516), or between daily hours spent playing Pokémon Go and daily sedentary time (p = .283). Nevertheless, the mean of the study reported that the physical activity level of the players increased concurrently as the player’s game frequency increases. Further studies are required to shed light on how location-based AR games can be implemented as potential strategies to engage an active lifestyle.

Group polarisation among location-based game players: an analysis of use and attitudes towards game slang

PurposeThis study investigates how game design, which divides players into static teams, can reinforce group polarisation. The authors study this phenomenon from the perspective of social identity in the context of team-based location-based games, with a focus on game slang.Design/methodology/approachThe authors performed an exploratory data analysis on an original dataset of n = 242,852 messages from five communication channels to find differences in game slang adoption between three teams in the location-based augmented reality game Pokémon GO. A divisive word “jym” (i.e. a Finnish slang derivative of the word “gym”) was discovered, and players' attitudes towards the word were further probed with a survey (n = 185). Finally, selected participants (n = 25) were interviewed in person to discover any underlying reasons for the observed polarised attitudes.FindingsThe players' teams were correlated with attitudes towards “jym”. Face-to-face interviews revealed association of the word to a particular player subgroup and it being used with improper grammar as reasons for the observed negative attitudes. Conflict over (virtual) territorial resources reinforced the polarisation.Practical implicationsGame design with static teams and inter-team conflict influences players' social and linguistic identity, which subsequently may result in divisive stratification among otherwise cooperative or friendly player-base.Originality/valueThe presented multi-method study connecting linguistic and social stratification is a novel approach to gaining insight on human social interactions, polarisation and group behaviour in the context of location-based games.

The Effects of Game Properties and Gratifications on Continuance Intention of Location-Based Augmented Reality Game

The Effects of Game Properties and Gratifications on Continuance Intention of Location-Based Augmented Reality Game

Problem-based gaming via an augmented reality mobile game and a printed game in foreign language education

Grounded in game-based learning and problem-based learning, this study compared the effects of an augmented reality (AR) mobile game and a printed game on student engagement and attitudes toward foreign language learning. For this purpose, a narrative-driven, location-based AR mobile game was developed based on the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation approach. The participants were 42 undergraduates studying English as a foreign language (EFL) in South Korea. The AR group played a location-based AR mobile game in English while moving around the university campus and collaborating with team members, whereas the print-game group played the same game color-printed onto paper in teams in the classroom. After the activities, both groups completed case reports, Likert-scale surveys, and adjective checklists, and participated in interviews. The results indicated that both groups demonstrated comparable levels of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement as well as positive attitudes in learning EFL, without significant group differences. The adjective checklist also indicated that the AR- and print-games provided students with a similar quality of experience. The qualitative data suggested that, if the EFL instruction is performed in accordance with game-based learning and problem-based learning principles, students may sustain high levels of engagement and positive attitudes, regardless of the medium (AR technology versus print). However, the only significant group difference was found in the perceived usefulness for learning EFL, which favored the print-mode game. While AR technologies provided authentic and immersive learning environments, EFL students perceived print reading as more useful for learning English than digital reading. This study makes a case for the development and application of narrative-driven, location-based AR games in foreign language education.

Effect of Pokémon Go on Self-Harm Using Population-Based Interrupted Time-Series Analysis: Quasi-Experimental Study.

BackgroundPokémon Go is a very popular location-based augmented reality game with widespread influences over the world. An emerging body of research demonstrates that playing Pokémon Go can lead to improvements in physical activity and psychosocial well-being; however, whether Pokémon Go reduces self-harm incidence at the population-level is still questionable.ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify how the launch of Pokémon Go in Hong Kong affected the incidence of self-harm using a quasi-experimental design.MethodsAn interrupted time-series design with Poisson segmented regression adjusted for time and seasonality trends was used on data from 2012 to 2018 to detect any changes in the number of accident and emergency attendances due to self-harm, after Pokémon Go was launched. The findings were validated using a baseline control period and using other intentional injuries and minor noninjuries as control outcomes. We also assessed intervention effects by age group.ResultsFrom January 1, 2012 to July 31, 2018, there were 13,463 accident and emergency attendances due to self-harm in Hong Kong. During the period after launching Pokémon Go, self-harm attendances dropped by 34% (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.66, 95% CI 0.61-0.73). When analyzed by age group, a reduction in self-harm incidence was only apparent in adults (18 to 24 years of age: adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.78, P=.02; 25 to 39 years of age: adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.75, P<.001; 40 years of age and older: adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.57, P<.001).ConclusionsSelf-harm incidence in the population, particularly in adults, showed a significant decline in the period after Pokémon Go was launched. Augmented reality games such as Pokémon Go show great promise as a tool to enhance psychosocial well-being and improve mental health.

How players across gender and age experience Pok\xe9mon Go?

The purpose of this study is to provide insights into player experiences and motivations in Pokémon Go, a relatively new phenomenon of location-based augmented reality games. With the increasing usage and adoption of various forms of digital games worldwide, investigating the motivations for playing games has become crucial not only for researchers but for game developers, designers, and policy makers. Using an online survey (N = 1190), the study explores the motivational, usage, and privacy concerns variations among age and gender groups of Pokémon Go players. Most of the players, who are likely to be casual gamers, are persuaded toward the game due to nostalgic association and word of mouth. Females play Pokémon Go to fulfill physical exploration and enjoyment gratifications. On the other hand, males seek to accomplish social interactivity, achievement, coolness, and nostalgia gratifications. Compared to females, males are more concerned about the privacy aspects associated with the game. With regard to age, younger players display strong connotation with most of the studied gratifications and the intensity drops significantly with an increase in age. With the increasing use of online and mobile games worldwide among all cohorts of society, the study sets the way for a deeper analysis of motivation factors with respect to age and gender. Understanding motivations for play can provide researchers with the analytic tools to gain insight into the preferences for and effects of game play for different kinds of users.

An in-app purchase framework for location-based AR games: the case of Pokémon Go

Purpose Although location-based augmented reality (AR) games are popular in recent years, the motivation of in-app purchases still needs further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of the intention to make a purchase in location-based AR games. Design/methodology/approach This research develops a conceptual model and hypotheses based on the theory of perceived values and satisfaction to investigate the antecedents. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed on popular websites to collect data, and 662 usable responses were collected from the players of Pokémon Go in Taiwan. Findings In total, 22 hypotheses were validated by using partial least squares techniques. Among the antecedents of in-app purchases intention in the model, the perceived value and satisfaction were found to have strong direct effects. The antecedents of the perceived value (flow, design aesthetic, social self-expression and good price) have direct influences on the perceived value of all players. Design aesthetic, reward and the perceived value were found to have a direct impact on all players’ satisfaction. Moreover, the differences between paying users and non-paying users were discussed and verified. Originality/value The model demonstrated relatively good explanatory power for purchase intention in the context of location-based AR game. The proposed model can provide insights to location-based AR game developers to design their games and marketing strategies.

Step Counts of Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults for 10 Months Before and After the Release of Pokémon GO in Yokohama, Japan.

BackgroundSmartphones have been integrated into our society and are expected to serve as tools to improve health outcomes. In the summer of 2016, Pokémon GO, a location-based augmented reality game for smartphones was released; it attracted attention from the perspective of health, especially with its potential to increase physical activity (PA). A few studies have compared objectively measured step counts before and after the release of the game; however, they were conducted over a short study period and evaluated only young people.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to confirm whether there was a difference in step counts between middle-aged and elderly players and nonplayers before and after the release of Pokémon GO.MethodsA total of 46 players and 184 nonplayers aged ≥40 years were matched for sex, age group, and PA level; they were respondents to a questionnaire randomly sent to citizens who were given free pedometers by Yokohama city. Their play status was identified through the questionnaire. To investigate the change in step counts before and after the release of Pokémon GO according to play status, a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed. Step counts 1 month before the release of the game were compared with those 8 months after the release. In addition, subgroup analyses according to sex, age group, PA level, and subjective health status were performed.ResultsThe mean ages of players and nonplayers were 56.5 (SD 9.9) years and 57.3 (SD 9.6) years, respectively, and the mean baseline step counts of players and nonplayers were 7641.8 (SD 2754.5) and 7903.3 (SD 2674.7), respectively. There was no significant difference in the age and baseline step counts according to a t test (2-tailed). In the analysis of all samples, the interaction between play status and time effect was significant for 3 of 8 months after release. In the subgroup analyses, the interaction was significant for 3 months in men, 7 months in the 55-64-year-old group, 2 months in workers, 4 months in the active group in PA level, and 2 months in participants with subjectively good health. The interaction was significant for only 1 month, at most, in other subgroups.ConclusionsThe present study confirmed a difference in step counts between players and nonplayers before and after the release of Pokémon GO. According to our analysis, step counts were higher until 7 months after the release. The player group maintained their step counts in winter, despite the decrease in step counts of nonplayers. In subgroup analyses, players were more likely to be men, aged <55 years, workers, active, and subjectively in good health.

Heightened intensity: Reflecting on player experiences in Wayfinder Live

Location-based games use smartphones and other location-aware devices to incorporate their players’ actions in everyday, physical spaces – the streets and public spaces of the city – into the virtual world of the game. Scholars and designers of these games often claim that they reconfigure their players’ relationship with the people and environment around them. They argue these games either engage and immerse players more deeply in the spaces of the game or distance and detach them from the physical environment through the screen interface. To date, however, relatively few detailed empirical studies of these games have been undertaken to test out and critique these claims. This article presents a study of the 2017 iteration of the location-based augmented reality game Wayfinder Live, in which players use their phones to search for and scan urban codes hidden across Melbourne’s laneways, alleys, and public spaces. Players of the game were interviewed and invited to reflect on their experience. This article relates these experiences to the design and development of the game, particularly to five play design principles that characterize its approach to haptic play in urban space. We begin by outlining these principles and the motivations behind them. Then, drawing on an analysis of the player interviews, we evaluate the impact of the game on their perception of the city.

Design and development methodologies of Kkongalmon, a location-based augmented reality game using mobile geographic information

Augmented reality is a rapidly growing area of interactive design where it allows virtual contents to be seamlessly integrated with displays of real-world scenes. Along with the meteoric rise of smart mobile devices capable of producing interesting augmented reality environments, the field of interactive game contents has been explored. Pokémon GO, which is released by Niantic, is one of the representative game contents that are implemented using a location-based augmented reality (AR) technology. Even though it is implemented on the basis of the famous and powerful intellectual property (IP) which is Pokémon, the game can be said to be a good example that shows how location-based AR technology using mobile geographic information is being utilized. In the Korean game industry, however, AR-based games are not being paid much attention to. This paper aims at describing the current situation of and future prospects for AR technology and identifying location-based AR game development methods, problems, and improvements by investigating Kkongalmon. In addition, this paper presents efficient development methodologies including design guidelines, tools, and interfaces in AR applications using mobile geographic information. This will enable the improvement of understanding of user experience in mobile AR applications.

Ubiquitous Pokémon Go: Human–Environment Relationships and the Location-Based Augmented Reality Game

This study explores the complexity of the connection between Pokémon Go play experience and players’ affection toward their physical surroundings from the environmental psychology and the media entertainment perspectives. The survey results of a stratified sample of 1,088 respondents showed that four dimensions of perceived realism—simulational realism, freedom of choice, integrated presence, and perceptual pervasiveness—positively influenced game enjoyment. Co-presence positively predicted game enjoyment while perceived crowding was negatively related to game enjoyment. Game involvement partially mediated the relationship between co-presence and game enjoyment, and game involvement also mediated the relationship between game enjoyment and place attachment. Theoretical implications on linking human behaviors and their affectional connections to physical places via the virtual gaming world are also discussed.