Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Using real landmarks
Location-based mixed-reality games (also referred to as
pervasive games
) are
worth dedicating at least a chapter to, if not a whole topic. It is a new and now
massively popular class of online entertainment. The concept is simple. Some object-
ives, events, or items in a game are connected to specific GPS coordinates on a real
map. Usually, such a marker is attached to a city or natural landmark in a game to
better express it. The introduction of such games was only a matter of time, since they
act as handy virtual maps and reliable algorithms of navigation. Sooner or later, it was
obvious that developers would implement this in a game.
The general feature of location-based games is the real-world map scaled down for
gaming—the story takes place in the physical world; as once stated by one of the
characters from Lewis Carroll's topics, "We now use the country itself, as its own
map". Quests are set in real city streets so players have to step outside their comfort
zones by virtually leaving their homes, using their cars or public transportation, and
walking on foot to reach the reference points on a map. At specified locations, they
must execute some virtual missions such as shooting a virtual antagonist, marking a
place, picking up an item for bonus points or special hints, and so on. As a rule, some
multiplayer aspects are involved in gameplay. The players can share information, set
traps, fight for virtual territories, and so on. It is a truly adventurous experience, usu-
ally with some RPG functionality to motivate players more. Sometimes a time limit is
involved so players are challenged to finish several game tasks in a predetermined
time period. The scale of a game is big, so game matches can last a pretty long time,
for example, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, and so on.
Common themes in location-based games are various types of otherworldly and
ghoulish mysteries, paraboloidal espionage stories about conspiracy, magical-fantasy
challenges, aliens living among us, and so on.
