Locating
Locating an object is a primitive interaction pattern in location-based mobile games.
The players attempt to locate an object in the real word. The term “object” is used in an expanded sense. It includes actual things, which may have an intrinsic value (exhibits, paintings, statues etc.) or maybe have special meaning only in the context of the game. It also includes locations or areas (e.g. a playground, a city block or a square etc.).
The event of locating of an object can be triggered by using the capabilities of the game equipment. A trigger can be any action that can be performed by using the equipment to point to the physical world. Examples of triggers are:
- Scanning of a tag (through a QR or NFC scanner)
- Approaching an area or a point (through a location proximity sensor)
- Pointing to a direction (a combination of location sensing and digital compass)
- Taking a picture (through image recognition)
- …
It is a prerequisite for other patterns. Locating an object can be used in conjunction with combining, economic transactions and other patterns.