Augotchi: The Augmented Pet - Exploring virtual companion design in Augmented Reality games

Abstract

When designing a digital game, the possibilities in terms of functionality and visual design are endless, which makes it di cult to nd the optimal solution. This is especially true when exploring the possibilities of new technology or trends, where standards are yet to be established. One such technology is Augmented Reality (AR), which combines digital content with information gained from the real world. The focus of the Augotchi project is the design of a game where the core feature is a virtual companion. The other essential core feature of Augotchi is the global positioning system (GPS) integration and the utilization of real world geography, putting an AR aspect into the game. This project explores how to design a virtual pet being featured in a location-based AR game for mobile devices. This thesis covers topics such as provoking emotional engagement in users, involving users in the design process through co-design workshops and evaluating the results. In this report, in depth descriptions of the methods used will be explained, the tools that were utilized will be covered and an extensive description of the nal result will be presented. This report provides an overview of what was found in relation to developing such an application, and what questions may arise during the development of a similar game. One of the main topics of discussion revolves around the largest problem that arose during the project, which was the acquisition of external testers. Other topics of discussion include the implications of various features and the impact that location-based AR games might have on society.