Discovering the invisible city: Game design for learning in technology enhanced places

In this paper we discuss the design of location-based mobile games supporting learning in technology enhanced public spaces. We describe the process of game design and we identify the main challenges faced. We briefly elaborate by discussing the case of Invisible City: Rebels vs Spies, a game to be played in a city centre. Through this case we highlight the adaptation of an original party game into a mobile game, the role of game narrative structure and user participation in game construction, and the key aspects conducive to learning. It is claimed that learning through mobile city games is a new challenge, as our city landscapes are augmented with an increasing number of layers of digital information in which a new generation of city games are played.

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