Motion controlled mobile 3D multiplayer gaming

Due to limitations in the user interface one of the oft cited most desirable features for mobile games is that they can be played using a single button. However, games using this type of control are extremely difficult to design and thus far it has been primarily utilized for casual games. As a number of mobile phones are starting to appear with accelerometers, mobile game developers have the opportunity to investigate new interaction mechanisms and as this paper we illustrate how accelerometers can greatly simplify the interaction for 3D graphical action games. In particular we present the design and user trials for a novel motion controlled 3D Bluetooth multiplayer space game. The results show that this experience is seen as fun and much more intuitive for gamers and non-gamers alike.