Addressing Spatio-Temporal Geogame Relocation Issues Using Design Evaluation Heuristics and Agent-based Simulation

Abstract

Geogames are location-based games played in outdoor environments. Educators often use them to stimulate learning experiences in the context of field trips. When played in a new geographic environment, the games have to be adapted in a process called game relocation. While experienced game designers create the game mechanics of a Geogame, its relocation is generally left to non-designers, especially educators. This paper studies problems that arise when users without game-design experience relocate a Geogame. We identify common error types based on the game design documentation and recorded player data of four Geogames. We describe limitations of the heuristics currently used to avoid typical design errors (e.g. excessive total playing time). We finally show how an agent-based simulation helps to explore the design options available in Geogame relocation.