An RFID-enabled middleware architecture for urban gaming

Due to the rapid acceptance of mobile devices and localisation technologies like global positioning system (GPS) in every day life, the fascination in utilising such technologies for entertainment is also increasing. The concept of urban gaming employs localisation technology to incorporate player's position into the game concept, generating a truly pervasive game experience. Urban gaming has immense potential and is often cited by denizens as the next gaming behemoth, however it is somewhat hampered by the existing technologies that it employs. GPS is the more commonly used technology in this genre; however it displays some serious limitations, especially in urban areas. This research investigates the feasibility of incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) as an alternate technology in location-based urban gaming. RFID is an emerging and increasingly popular technology, whose versatile capabilities offer a wide range of possible uses. This article documents a middleware RFID-enabled location-based gaming prototype.

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