Developing an augmented reality racing game

Augmented reality (AR) makes it possible to create games in which virtual objects are overlaid on the real world, and real objects are tracked and used to control virtual ones. We describe the development of an AR racing game created by modifying an existing racing game, using an AR infrastructure that we developed for use with the XNA game development platform. In our game, the driver wears a tracked video see-through head-worn display, and controls the car with a passive tangible controller. Other players can participate by manipulating waypoints that the car must pass and obstacles with which the car can collide. We discuss our AR infrastructure, which supports the creation of AR applications and games in a managed code environment, the user interface we developed for the AR racing game, the game's software and hardware architecture, and feedback and observations from early demonstrations.