OPOS: an observation scheme for evaluating head-up play

ABSTRACT

The concept of Head-Up Games [18] advocates that pervasive games of the future should be designed to evoke play patterns akin to those of traditional outdoor games. This tenet, while appealing, is ill defined without a clear description of these behaviors. Below we introduce OPOS, an observation scheme that can be used to evaluate Head-Up Games and, more generally, outdoor pervasive games intended for children. The observation scheme has been evaluated through its application in observing play with traditional outdoor games and a purpose made Head-Up Game. The study involved 24 children of 10--11 years old; it was found that the proposed observation scheme is objective and reliable, helping evaluators compare pervasive games regarding the play behaviors they provoke.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology; User-centered design

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.8 PERSONAL COMPUTING
      K.8.0 General
          Subjects: Games

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
children, game evaluation, pervasive games, structured observation