A design approach to decentralized interactive environments

Abstract

We are exploring a design approach to the implementation of decentralized intelligent environments. We adopt the research through design process by creating an infrastructure of physical, interactive objects and explore the potential of a decentralized philosophy in four design iterations. Open-ended play serves as a fruitful context for design cases. Iterations of prototyping and user testing facilitate the exploration of emergence. One of the design outcomes is a simple decentralized system for soccer training which proved to be very successful on challenge and motivation, and inspired players to invent a range of games, both competitive and cooperative