About Neon Racer
Motivation
In conventional computer games users are focused on the screen rather than the real world. This reduces the range of actions and social collaboration. For years Augmented Reality research has redefined the possibilities of creating applications for entertainment [1, 2]. AR applications make it possible to enrich virtual games with the social aspects of traditional board games. Users can share the gaming environment and explore the possibilities of the augmented world together. This demo shows a possibility to boost social interaction in an open environment such as conferences, festivals, shopping malls or museums. In this demo we use novel technology to create an opportunity for social interaction using an intuitive racing action game.
The Neon Racer Game
A benefit of transporting racing games to AR is the ability
to include the physical reality into the game. Neon
Racer creates a rich gaming experience by using everyday
objects in an unusual way. The physical world acts
as the setting of a racing game for up to four players.
The world is selectively augmented with the player’s
vehicles, which are controlled with gamepads.
The racing course itself is defined by virtual checkpoints.
Real objects placed on the course act as obstacles
in the game. The position and edges of physical objects
are detected using a camera and natural feature tracking.
Players have to maneuver their vehicles past these
objects and through the checkpoints.
Both users and spectators can move objects around the
course. Thus usually passive bystanders can actively
contribute to the outcome of the race and even take
sides. This increases the social interaction and fun for
players and spectators alike.
As an additional feature, the users shape the soundtrack
as they play. The soundtrack of the game is created and
influenced by the number of vehicles involved in the
game and their speed.
Neon Racer incorporates novel rendering techniques
(motion line particles) to enhance the user’s experience.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to express their gratitude to Mandala Weber of Circled Cube for the sound design and Ars Electronica Center for supplying hardware for the table based setup.
