====== Exploring ======
The **exploring** pattern requires the player to traverse and [[en:patterns:interaction_with_the_physical_world|interact with physical space]].

**Exploration** of a physical space is a simple and powerful pattern. It offers possibilities for combination with other patterns. For example, revealing parts of a map-[[en:patterns:tool|tool]], or finding and [[en:patterns:collecting|collecting]] a [[en:patterns:digital_object|digital object]]. 

**Exploration** is performed in [[en:patterns:interaction_with_the_physical_world|physical space]] and it is a good pattern on which to focus [[en:patterns:learning|learning]]. In **location-based mobile games** this pattern occurs always, even implicitly. For a better [[en:patterns:learning|learning]] effect it should be incorporated in the game organically, so as to link **exploration** to specific learning goals. 

**Exploration** might be conducted [[en:patterns:cooperation|cooperatively]], or with a [[en:patterns:against_time|time limit]]. It is a common pattern for games that are adapted from [[en:patterns:board_game|board games]].  

Successful exploration might {{tagpage>trigger}} an [[en:patterns:ending_condition|ending condition]].

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===Example===
The open area derivatives of [[en:games:museumscrabble|MuseumScrabble]] ([[en:cityscrabble|CityScrabble]], [[en:carnivalscrabble|CarnivalScrabble]], [[en:if_in_monemvasia|If in Monemvasia...]], [[en:treasure_in_tzoumerka|Treasure in Tzoumerka]]) require the players to actively **explore** the game area in order to find **QR tags** or trigger [[en:patterns:proximity|proximity alerts]]. 

Similarly, in [[en:games:rebels_vs._spies|Invisible city: Rebels vs. spies]], the players are assigned missions, where they have to **explore** the space and find **QR tags**.

In both examples, **exploration** of the physical space is a crucial element for meeting [[en:patterns:learning|learning]] goals of the games.

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===Related patterns===
[[en:patterns:collecting|collecting]] 

[[en:patterns:interaction_with_the_physical_world|interaction with the physical world]]

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=== Related heuristics ===
[[en:heuristics:heuristics#3.5]]

{{tag>challenge}}
{{tag>physical_space}}
{{tag>trigger}}
{{tag>review}}

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=== Backlinks ===
{{backlinks>.}}