Mobile and location-based serious games can provide learning experiences anywhere and anytime by personalizing to a user's schedule and context. Various technologies like GPS, WiFi, cameras, and sensors can be leveraged in mobile devices to go beyond just phones. Some examples of early location-based serious games include reverse geocache puzzle boxes, Mogi for collecting virtual objects in real locations, and Shadow Cities for augmented reality territorial control. However, challenges remain in terms of technology limitations, user privacy concerns, and ensuring interoperability across platforms. A bottom-up approach starting with small-scale experiments is recommended to help address these challenges.

1. mobile and location-
based serious games?
@nicolasnova
SGE Lyon, November 2011

2. mobile
1. Anywhere/anytime
2. Users can personalize
their learning experience to
their schedule/context

3. CellID
GPS
WiFi
Camera
Sound detector
Accelerometer
Compass
...
a mobile is more than a phone

4. GPS technology

5. reverse geocache puzzle box (mikal
hart)

6. mogi (newt games)

7. shadow cities

8. even before the “serious game” meme
a long (R&D) story

9. access learning material in context
(gbanga zoo)

10. field data collection
AIR (Preemptive Media)

11. field data collection
AIR (Preemptive Media)

12. field data collection
AIR (Preemptive Media)

13. stimulate physical activity
On the Run (Matt Donahoe)

14. enhance the use of public transport
Chromaroma (Mudlark)

15. field simulation:firefighter
Crysis Wars (Brian Quinn)

16. building platforms...

17. building platforms...

18. user experience issues:privacy

19. user experience issues:technology

20. user experience issues:technology

21. take-aways
‣ Location-based platforms can lead to
significant benefits for learners.
‣ Challenges in terms of technology
(positioning accuracy, interoperability)
and user issues (privacy).
‣ Bottom up approach (based on small-
scale experiments) is recommended

22. thank you
nicolas@nearfuturelaboratory.com