Deadline Extended: Evaluating Player Experiences in Location Aware Games (HCI 08) :: HCI 2008: Culture, Creativity, Interaction :: September 1-5, 2008, Liverpool, John Moores University, UK :: Submission Deadline: July 14, 2008.

UPDATE: The authors of the best abstracts may be invited to submit a full paper for inclusion in a special edition of a leading journal.

Location aware technologies such as widespread mobile computers and varying location sensors open up a massive range of possibilities for extending game playing into streets, buildings and even the rural landscape. New and extended forms of location-aware games including mobile or pervasive phone games, smart toys, role-playing games as well as Mixed Reality (MR) games all demonstrate promising new forms of game play. Substantial work has also gone into new game concepts, sophisticated technology and viable business models. However, research on the methodological issues of studying mobile player experiences, pervasive game activity and ubiquitous interaction has become necessary. Furthermore, there is also a need to explore the methodological issues in the evaluation of the intertwined, mutually dependent dimensions related to the usability and playability of location-based games.

This workshop will bring together researchers, practitioners, and students with the objective of sharing knowledge, experience and ideas so that the many user experience issues of location aware games can be more thoroughly addressed.

We would like to invite papers to be submitted to this workshop that focus on one or several issues of measuring player experience in location-aware games including but not limited to:

* User interface design issues on multiple device types: from ideas to guidelines and principals
* Devices and modalities, including tangible computing
* Appropriateness of existing HCI work to game interfaces e.g. task analysis, heuristics, interviews and other methods
* Social dimensions of location gaming technologies, from non-player participation to between player communication
* Theoretical issues related space, place and presence
* Contextual issues when designing and evaluating location aware games
* Using participatory design and probes in design and evaluation
* Game design patterns

SUBMISSIONS: Authors are invited to submit position or research papers of not more than 4 pages, including tables, figures and references. Submissions will be accepted to be presented in a talk or as a poster. Papers should present original research or summarize experiences related to the above mentioned workshop topics. All submissions should be made via the online workshop paper submission system.

Paper submissions should adhere to the HCI 2008 style guidelines. The respective templates may be found here. Please include all author and contact information in your submission.

Unless clearly indicated otherwise, submission of a workshop contribution implies permission for a publication on the workshop website.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES: Paper Submission: July 14th, 2008; Notification of Acceptance: End of July.

POST WORKSHOP: We are currently in advanced stages of negotiation with a leading journal and have provisional acceptance for a special issue. We anticipate being able to make a further announcement shortly. If you require more information please contact us.

Organising and Programme Committee: Rod McCall, Fraunhofer FIT, Germany (co-chair); Barbara Gr ter, Hochschule Bremen, University of Applied Sciences, Germany (co-chair); Anne-Kathrin Braun, Fraunhofer FIT, Germany (co-chair); Lynne Baillie, Glasgow Caledonian University (UK) and FTW; Austria Andrew Wilson, Blink, UK ; Richard Wetzel, Fraunhofer FIT, Germany; Zachary O’Toups, Texas A&M University, USA; Joerg Niesenhaus, University of Duisberg-Essen, Germany.

For more information contact Rod McCall (rod.mccall [at] fit.fraunhofer.de) or visit www.ipcity.eu

The workshop is being held in association with the EC funded IPCity and PEACH projects.