MOFA The Ghost: Demonstrating an Asymmetrical Social Exertion Game in Spontaneous Collocated Mixed Reality
Botao Amber Hu, Yilan Elan Tao, Yuchen Zhang, Sizheng Hao, Rem RunGu Lin · 2024
Envisioning a future with prevalent use of Mixed Reality (MR) Head-mounted Displays (HMD), introducing MR headsets into public and social spaces creates complex social challenges. The first challenge is the inherent power imbalance between collocated HMD wearers and non-wearers, where non-wearers cannot see what HMD wearers see. The second challenge is the inherent asymmetry of MR experiences between collocated HMD wearers, where each HMD wearer can only see their MR digital objects privately, perceiving their own version of reality. How can we leverage the imbalances and asymmetry of the MR medium into game elements for a unique gaming experience? This demonstration introduces "MOFA The Ghost", an asymmetrical inter-bodily mixed reality social exertion game inspired by the cinematic classic, Ghostbusters. Based on spontaneous collocated mixed reality technology, the design of "MOFA The Ghost" engages across three dimensions of asymmetry: device asymmetry, by integrating the game interaction utilizing device imbalance power dynamics, MR HMDs and Handheld Augmented Reality (HAR); gameplay asymmetry, through unique roles like the Ghost Controller, Detector, and Ghostbuster, each with specific objectives and limitations; and information asymmetry, fostering a specific limited visual perception with an augmented audiovisual layer for specific roles. Thanks to asymmetry of MR medium, this game encourages all collocated players to be socially competitive and cooperative at the same time. This game illuminates the potential for new design paradigms within spontaneous collocated mixed reality gaming.