Virtually (re)constructed reality: the representation of physical space in commercial location-based games

Location-based games (LBGs) are based on digital representations of our surroundings and the spaces we inhabit. These digital twins of the real world, real world metaverses, are subsequently augmented by imaginary game content. However, the virtual reconstruction of the world inevitably emphasises some aspects of reality and disregards others. In this work we explore and discuss the elements of reality that are included, and omitted, in popular commercial LBGs. We focus on eight popular contemporary LBGs from five different developers and investigate their connections to the real world. Subsequently, we compare the identified real world features of the LBGs to the landscape dimensions of the widely adopted Landscape Character Assessment framework. The findings show that settlement, hydrology, climate and land cover are the most commonly incorporated landscape dimensions, albeit in low fidelity. By contrast, dimensions, such as geology, soils and enclosure were not represented in the observed LBGs. In addition, we discovered several anthropogenic and cultural aspects, such as land ownership and time depth that are implicitly included in some commercial LBGs, notably in the Niantic Wayfarer system providing unique high-fidelity data of cultural and historical locations. Overall, we find only little variance within landscape dimensions between the observed commercial LBGs. Our findings open discussions on choices regarding the virtual representation of the real world in systems, such as LBGs, navigational software and a reality-based metaverse

Towards Data-Driven Generation of Visualizations for Automatically Generated News Articles

Peer reviewe

Fictional Game Elements: Critical Perspectives on Gamification Design

Gamification has been widely accepted in the HCI community in the last few years. However, the current debate is focused on its short-term consequences, such as effectiveness and usefulness, while its side-effects, long-term criticalities and systemic impacts are rarely raised. This workshop will explore the gamification design space from a critical perspective, by using design fictions to help researchers reflect on the long-term consequences of their designs

Virtually (re)constructed reality : The representation of physical space in commercial location-based games

Location-based games (LBGs) are based on digital representations of our surroundings and the spaces we inhabit. These digital twins of the real world, real world metaverses, are subsequently augmented by imaginary game content. However, the virtual reconstruction of the world inevitably emphasises some aspects of reality and disregards others. In this work we explore and discuss the elements of reality that are included, and omitted, in popular commercial LBGs. We focus on eight popular contemporary LBGs from five different developers and investigate their connections to the real world. Subsequently, we compare the identified real world features of the LBGs to the landscape dimensions of the widely adopted Landscape Character Assessment framework. The findings show that settlement, hydrology, climate and land cover are the most commonly incorporated landscape dimensions, albeit in low fidelity. By contrast, dimensions, such as geology, soils and enclosure were not represented in the observed LBGs. In addition, we discovered several anthropogenic and cultural aspects, such as land ownership and time depth that are implicitly included in some commercial LBGs, notably in the Niantic Wayfarer system providing unique high-fidelity data of cultural and historical locations. Overall, we find only little variance within landscape dimensions between the observed commercial LBGs. Our findings open discussions on choices regarding the virtual representation of the real world in systems, such as LBGs, navigational software and a reality-based metaverse.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Supporting Learning with Wireless Sensor Data

In this article, learning is studied in in situ applications that involve sensors. The main questions are how to conceptualize experiential learning involving sensors and what kinds of learning applications using sensors already exist or could be designed. It is claimed that experiential learning, context information and sensor data supports twenty first century learning. The concepts of context, technology-mediated experiences, shared felt experiences and experiential learning theory will be used to describe a framework for sensor-based mobile learning environments. Several scenarios and case examples using sensors and sensor data will be presented, and they will be analyzed using the framework. Finally, the article contributes to the discussion concerning the role of technology-mediated learning experiences and collective sensor data in developing twenty first century learning by characterizing what kinds of skills and competences are supported in learning situations that involve sensors.In this article learning is studied in situations that involve sensors. The main questions are how to conceptualize experiential learning involving sensors and what kinds of learning applications using sensors already exist or could be designed. It is claimed that experiential learning, context information and sensor data supports 21st century learning. The concepts of context, technology-mediated experiences, shared felt experiences, and experiential learning theory will be used to describe a framework for sensor based mobile learning environments. Several scenarios and case examples using sensors and sensor data will be presented and they will be analyzed using the framework. Finally, the article contributes to the discussion concerning the role of technology-mediated learning experiences and collective sensor data in developing 21st century learning by characterizing what kinds of skills and competences are supported in learning situations that involve sensors.Peer reviewe

Perception of young generation on the importance and performance of gamification in tourism

Gamification is not a new concept introduced, it has been implemented not only in tourism industry but also in others field including education, business and marketing campaign and health sector. Games and entertainment centres is fun, excitement and experience industry as people are looking to more than just consoles and mobile apps for entertainment. With the fast growing of technology used, gamification seen suddenly boosted and became a trend due to millennial and gen z who seek for adventure and gamified experiences. In fact, the fundamental changes is gaming experiences have been extended into real world, and are potentially available at any place and any time. Thus, with using six principle perspective on motivational mechanisms with gamification, this study aimed to evaluate the perception of young generation on the importance and performance of gamification in tourism. A total of 99 respondents have been selected through purposive sampling technique where most of them are from young generation who born between the early 1980s and 1990s. The findings shows that young generation perceived the perspective of interest traits is the most crucial elements in gamification. This generations highly attracted towards the gamification activities due to indication of clear goals and worth rewards. Therefore, this study contributed knowledge and information to the tourism stakeholders that young generation has high tendency attracted into gamification activities while travelling to a particular destination

A Design Framework for Engaging Collective Interaction Applications for Mobile Devices

The main objective of this research is to define the conceptual and technological key factors of engaging collective interaction applications for mobile devices. To answer the problem, a throwaway prototyping software development method is utilized to study design issues. Furthermore, a conceptual framework is constructed in accordance with design science activities. This fundamentally exploratory research is a combination of literature review, design and implementation of mobile device based prototypes, as well as empirical humancomputer interaction studies, which were conducted during the period 2008 - 2012. All the applications described in this thesis were developed mainly for research purposes in order to ensure that attention could be focused on the problem statement. The thesis presents the design process of the novel Engaging Collective Interaction (ECI) framework that can be used to design engaging collective interaction applications for mobile devices e.g. for public events and co-creational spaces such as sport events, schools or exhibitions. The building and evaluating phases of design science combine the existing knowledge and the results of the throwaway prototyping approach. Thus, the framework was constructed from the key factors identified of six developed and piloted prototypes. Finally, the framework was used to design and implement a collective sound sensing application in a classroom setting. The evaluation results indicated that the framework offered knowledge to develop a purposeful application. Furthermore, the evolutionary and iterative framework building process combined together with the throwaway prototyping process can be presented as an unseen Dual Process Prototyping (DPP) model. Therefore it is claimed that: 1) ECI can be used to design engaging collective interaction applications for mobile devices. 2) DPP is an appropriate method to build a framework or a model. This research indicates that the key factors of the presented framework are: collaborative control, gamification, playfulness, active spectatorship, continuous sensing, and collective experience. Further, the results supported the assumption that when the focus is more on activity rather than technology, it has a positive impact on the engagement. As a conclusion, this research has shown that a framework for engaging collective interaction applications for mobile devices can be designed (ECI) and it can be utilized to build an appropriate application. In addition, the framework design process can be presented as a novel model (DPP). The framework does not provide a step-by-step guide for designing applications, but it helps to refine the design of successful ones. The overall benefit of the framework is that developers can pay attention to the factors of engaging application at an early stage of design

Systematic literature review on user logging in virtual reality

In this systematic literature review, we study the role of user logging in virtual reality research. By categorizing literature according to data collection methods and identifying reasons for data collection, we aim to find out how popular user logging is in virtual reality research. In addition, we identify publications with detailed descriptions about logging solutions. Our results suggest that virtual reality logging solutions are relatively seldom described in detail despite that many studies gather data by body tracking. Most of the papers gather data to witness something about a novel functionality or to compare different technologies without discussing logging details. The results can be used for scoping future virtual reality research.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Towards Playful Office Culture: Final Report of the OASIS – Playful Spaces for Learning and Collaboration at Work (2014–2015) research project

In the project OASIS – Playful Spaces for Learning and Collaboration at Work (2014–2015), funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund, the experience of playfulness and the incentives and thresholds of adult play at the workplace were examined. The research focused on a single academic work community, and it was closely connected to research enabled by OASIS, an informal social space for students and staff at the university and a living lab for research. The primary component of the research project comprised three playful experiments involving staff members