Playful Wearables
Playful Wearables: Understanding the Design Space of Wearables for Games and Related Experiences

Abstract

An expert introduction to the world of “playful wearables” and their design, with a wide range of engaging examples, case studies, and exercises. This pioneering introduction to the world of wearable technology takes readers beyond the practical realm (think Fitbits, Apple watches, and smart glasses) to consider another important side of the technology—the playful. Playful Wearables offers an engaging account of what “playful wearables” are, why they matter, how they work, how they’re made, and what their future might hold. The book’s authors—Oğuz Buruk, Ella Dagan, Katherine Isbister, Elena Márquez Segura, and Theresa Jean Tanenbaum—draw on decades of experience in design, development, and research to offer real-world examples, exercises, and implications, showing how this kind of wearable tech can introduce an invaluable element of play into our everyday lives. As wearable technology emerges in the ecology of costume and fashion, the authors consider its intimate connection to identity and culture. And they look at the ways in which playful wearables, when smoothly integrated into everyday social experiences, support social interaction. The book then moves on to the mechanics of playful wearables—from design strategies and frameworks to specific methods and game design patterns—the building blocks for great playful, wearable designs. All of these elements point to possibilities beyond the realm of games and dedicated play, as the value and uses of playful wearables in the larger world of self, society, and culture become ever more apparent.

 

Role: Main Co-author

Type: Book

Date: 2024

Co-Authors: Ella Dagan, Katherine Isbister, Elena Márquez Segura and Theresa Jean Tanenbaum


PDF Cite MIT Press
Wearable gaming technology: A study on the relationships between wearable features and gameful experiences

Abstract

With the parallel advancement and evolution of psycho-physiological sensors, haptics, and overall wearable computing, wearable devices have become a mainstay in everyday life. While gaming is one of the most intuitively appealing areas for using wearable devices, most gaming concepts relying on wearable devices have had only moderate success. Therefore, further knowledge is needed by game developers for innovating new gaming concepts, by wearable designers to innovate new affordances for gaming in wearables, and by gamers for seeing the possibilities of what wearables can bring to gaming. To address this research problem, we combined vignette and survey studies (N=289) to investigate which features of wearables (integrability, wearability, modularity, sociability, programmability, bio-adaptability, audiovisuality, and embodied modality) would lead to gameful experiences. Overall, the results indicate that integrability to games, wearability, modularity, and sociability were dimensions of wearables which were most strongly connected with the expectation of a heightened game experience. The findings of the study contribute to the current understanding of the experiential value of gaming wearables, as well as providing practical guidance for gaming wearables designers and marketers.

 

Role: Main Co-author

Type: Full Paper

Journal: International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Stats: h5-index:62, impact factor: 5.4

Date: 2024

Co-Authors: Nannan Xi, Juan Chen, Shiva Jabari and Juho Hamari


PDF Cite Elsevier
A Hybrid Board Game by Using Daily Activity Data of Users as Game Mechanics

Abstract

Motivating people for activities that will benefit their physical and mental health through games and gamification has been popular, and prevalent especially throughout the pandemic. While many studies produce tailored gameful apps for this purpose, studies that investigate if the existing games can be used for such purposes by modifying their game mechanics are scarce. Thus, in this research, we customized an existing board game by using the game mechanics to facilitate better habits for physical activity, sleep time and social interaction. We added mechanics granting players permanent skills, bonus moves and in-game currency based on their daily activities with a research through design process which went through paper mockups, game design, development of a web-based platform and iterative user tests. Our preliminary findings show that the social component of hybrid board games can help motivate players to adopt a healthier lifestyle by creating an environment to discuss health issues with others.

 

Role: Supervisor

Type: Extended Abstract (Poster)

Conference: Proceedings of the 25th International Academic Mindtrek Conference

Stats: h5-index:14

Date: 2022

Co-Authors: Yiping Xu


PDF Cite ACM
Exploring the Player Experiences of Wearable Gaming Interfaces: A User Elicitation Study

Abstract

The design and development of playful wearable devices is a challenging and complicated problem. It entails not only multidisciplinary expertise but also a comprehensive understanding of player experience. There is a scarcity of evidence-based studies in current state-of-art literature that investigate general design practices and provide pragmatic design implications and suggestions based on solid user-centered research. To bridge the gap, we developed five experience prototypes based on the speculative design concepts from previous studies, and a Wizard of Oz experiment was conducted to elicit end users' feedback regarding general gaming experience as well as specific design themes in different gaming scenarios. The user experiment results were analyzed qualitatively following a rigorous thematic analysis, generating five major design implications as output. We believe this study will offer forward-looking insights to designers, developers and the research community, facilitating future work in this field.

 

Role: Co-author, Supervisor

Type: Full Paper (CHI PLAY 2022)

Journal: Proceedings of ACM in Human-Computer Interaction

Stats: h5-index:34

Date: 2022

Co-Authors: Ruowei Xiao, Sangwon Jung and Juho Hamari


PDF Cite ACM
Towards the Next Generation of Gaming Wearables

Abstract

Recent studies on gaming wearables show that wearables can contribute to the gaming experience by bolstering performativity, facilitating social interaction, and accommodating distinct interaction modalities. Still, these studies focused on contexts such as role-playing, casual, or festival games. Stakeholder-oriented research that explores the integration of wearables for mainstream gaming platforms such as game consoles is scarce. To fill this gap, we have conducted an exploratory study through 6 participatory design workshops focusing on different aspects of wearables with 33 participants from different stakeholders. As a result, we have created fifteen design themes and three gaming wearable concepts that led to seven actionable design implications which can be adopted by designers and researchers for designing gaming wearables.

 

Role: Main Author, Design Researcher, Illustrator, Concept Creator

Type: Full Paper

Conference: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Stats: Acceptance rate: 27%, h5-index:122

Date: 2021

Co-Authors: Mikko Salminen, Nannan Xi, Timo Nummenmaa and Juho Hamari


PDF Cite ACM
Designing Gaming Wearables: From Participatory Design to Concept Creation

Abstract

In this pictorial, we depict our design process on gaming wearables starting from participatory design workshops to concept creation. Wearables possess strong qualities for gaming such as performativity, sociality and interactivity. However, it is an emergent field and there is a dearth of design knowledge especially when it comes to designing wearables for mainstream gaming platforms such as game consoles. Our aim is to explore this field elaborately with a research through design approach and also clearly exemplify how our design process progressed through different phases. Our results, apart from helping wearables designers to understand critical features for mainstream gaming, will also demonstrate the techniques and methods for extracting knowledge from PD workshops and incorporating it in a conceptual design phase.

*Concepts in the carousel were illustrated by Sangwon Jung

 

Role: Concept Co-Creator, Design Researcher, Main Co-Author, Supervisor

Type: Pictorial

Conference: Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction

Stats: Acceptance rate: 27%, h5-index:26

Date: 2021

Co-Authors: Sangwon Jung, Ruowei Xiao and Juho Hamari


PDF Cite ACM Video
Towards the Next Generation of Extended Reality Wearables

Abstract

Extended reality (XR) systems are among the most prominent interactive environments of today’s entertainment. These systems are often complemented by supportive wearables such as haptic gloves or full–body suits. However, applications are usually limited to tactile feedback and gestural controls while other strong parts of wearables such as the performative, social and interactive features are neglected. To investigate the ways of designing wearables for playful XR environments by drawing upon these strong parts, we conducted five participatory design workshops with 25 participants. Our study resulted in 14 design concepts that were synthesized into three design themes that include 9 sub-themes, namely Virtual Costumes, Modification of Bodily Perception and Social Bioadaptivity. The knowledge created extends the design space of XR wearables and opens new paths for designers and researchers to explore.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Main Co-Author, Design Researcher

Type: Extended Abstract (Late-Breaking Work)

Conference: Extended Abstracts of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Stats: Acceptance rate: 39%, h5-index:122

Date: 2021

Co-Authors: Juho Hamari


PDF Cite ACM
A Design Framework for Playful Wearables

Abstract

Deployment of wearables for games has attracted the interest of designers and researchers both in academia and industry. However, few of these projects treat wearables as an integral part of the gameplay, often considering them as an extension of the central on-screen experience. While preliminary forays into wearable play show promise, we see a need for a rigorous design framework to illuminate the possibilities for the future of wearables for playful interaction design. In this paper we propose a Design Framework for Playful Wearables stemming from our extensive research and hands-on experience in leading four long-term game research projects incorporating wearables. We divide our framework into three high-level categories: the performative, the social and the interactive. We contend that this design space can be both a design tool for creators of wearable playful activities, as well as an analytical lens for evaluating existing wearable systems.

 

Role: Concept Co-Creator, Design Researcher, Main Co-Author

Type: Full Paper

Conference: Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games

Stats: Acceptance rate: 37%, h5-index:20

Date: 2019

Co-Authors: Katherine Isbister and Theresa Jean Tanenbaum


PDF Cite ACM
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Extracting Design Guidelines for Wearables and Movement in Tabletop Role-Playing Games via a Research Through Design Process

Abstract

We believe that wearables and movement are perfect fit for enhancing tabletop role-playing (TTRPG) experience, since they can provide embodied interaction, are perceived as character-costumes, enhance ludic properties and increase the connectedness to the imaginary game worlds. By providing these improvements, they can increase the immersiveness and player/character relationship which are critical for an ideal TTRPG experience. To investigate this underexplored area, we conducted an extensive research through design process which includes a (1) participatory design workshop with 25 participants, (2) preliminary user tests with Wizard-of-Oz and experience prototypes with 15 participants, (3) production of a new game system, wearable and tangible artifacts and (4) summative user tests for understanding the effects on experience with 16 participants. As a result of our study, we extracted design guidelines about how to integrate wearables and movement in narrative-based tabletop games and communicate how the results of each phase affected our artifacts.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Game Designer, Design Researcher, Product Designer, Hardware and Software Developer, Main Author

Award: Honorable Mention

Type: Full Paper

Conference: Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Stats: Acceptance rate: 23%, h5-index:122

Date: 2018

Co-Authors: Oğuzhan Özcan


PDF Cite ACM Demo Demo PDF Slides Level Press Level Online
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WEARPG: Movement-Based Tabletop Role-Playing Game with Arm-Worn Devices and an Augmented Die

Abstract

Augmenting tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) with computers took much attention of researchers recently. Nevertheless, these efforts mostly remained as functional augmentations. We believe that integrating new gameplay styles to this genre is still an underexplored area. Drawing upon the previous studies, we believe that wearables which support movement-based gameplay can be a good step taken in this direction as previous studies claim that wearables can strengthen the link to the imaginary worlds which is critical for TTRPG experience while the movement-based play can increase the player engagement. However, previous studies did not investigate these concepts with an implemented technology. Therefore, to get a better understanding of how wearables can alter the TTRPG experience, we designed a new RPG game system and developed the Elemental Gauntlet and the Luck Stone which enable movement-based game play in TTRPG context. Our preliminary results showed that, movement-based play and wearable props strengthen the identification feeling with the fictional character and resulted in a better immersion to the imaginary world of the game.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Game Designer, Product Designer, Hardware and Software Developer, Main Author

Award: Student Game Design Competition, Audience Choice, 2nd Place

Type: Extended Abstract (Student Game Design Competition Finalist)

Conference: Extended Abstracts Publication of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play

Stats: Acceptance rate: 35%, h5-index:30

Date: 2017

Co-Authors: Ismet Melih Özbeyli and Oğuzhan Özcan


PDF Cite ACM
Augmented Table-Top Role-Playing Game with Movement-Based Gameplay and Arm-Worn Devices

Abstract

Augmenting table-top role-playing games (TTRPG) is a trending subject in game research. Different objects and interaction modalities such as surface displays, tangible devices or interactive rooms are used for the augmentation of TTRPG. Still, usage of wearable devices and movement-based gameplay in such games is a rather underexplored area although they have a potential for enhancing the player experience according to the previous studies. To delve into this area, we developed a new interactive environment comprised of arm-worn devices and an augmented die. These devices, together with a new role-playing game system, facilitate movement-based gameplay which encourage players to enact their characters with their bodies. In this paper, we explained the specifications of this gaming environment and our demonstration setting.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Game Designer, Product Designer, Hardware and Software Developer, Main Author

Type: Extended Abstract (Demo)

Conference: Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference Companion Publication on Designing Interactive Systems

Stats: h5-index:41

Date: 2017

Co-Authors: Ismet Melih Özbeyli and Oğuzhan Özcan


PDF Cite ACM
User Oriented Design Speculation and Implications for an Arm-Worn Wearable Device for Table-Top Role-Playing Games

Abstract

Augmenting table-top role-playing games (TTRPG) with computers is an extensive research area. Nevertheless, wearable devices were not considered a part of TTRPG before. Previous studies speculate that wearables may be valuable additions for games by altering many aspects some of which can address TTRPG such as character identification. Still, we did not encounter a player oriented exploratory study which suggests possible utilization ways for these devices. Therefore, we organized a participatory design workshop with 25 participants aiming at eliciting ideas from users to produce design knowledge about the interaction techniques, actions, visual properties and the GM's role. We also wanted to understand users' overall reactions to the idea of wearables in TTRPG. The workshop resulted in 5 conceptual device designs which led to design implications that can guide designers in this unexplored area. Moreover, we proposed a speculative arm-worn device drawing upon these implications.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Game Designer, Main Author

Type: Full Paper

Conference: Design, User Experience, and Usability: Designing Pleasurable Experiences

Stats: h5-index:34

Date: 2017

Co-Authors: Oğuzhan Özcan


PDF Cite Springer
Augmented Tabletop Games Workshop

Abstract

This workshop gathers researchers and practitioners interested in augmented tabletop games: physical games that include digital augmentation. Participants will compile ways of knowing for this unique research space and share their methods of research, demonstrating, where possible, through a research gaming and prototyping session. Post-workshop, we will assemble an online compendium for findings, which will include video sketches recorded during the workshop and an annotated bibliography.

 

Role: Co-Author

Type: Extended Abstract (Workshop)

Conference: Extended Abstracts Publication of the Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play

Stats: Acceptance rate: 52%, h5-index:31

Date: 2017

Co-Authors: Phoebe Toups Douglas, Nicolas LaLone, Theresa Jean Tanenbaum, Aaron Trammell, Jessica Hammer and Ansgar Depping


PDF Cite ACM
WEARPG: Game Design Implications for Movement-Based Play in Table-Top Role-Playing Games with Arm-Worn Devices

Abstract

Combining the physical and the digital is one of the most trending topics in game research in HCI. Augmenting the table-top role-playing games (TTRPG) by adding electronic devices is a growing research area, yet the introduction of new play styles is still open for exploration. We believe that integration of wearable devices and movement-based play, which are also prominent research areas for gaming, hold potential for increasing the TTRPG experience since these are observed to increase the connectedness of players to imaginary world of games by previous studies. However, such augmentation will also bring changes in game design and these changes were not investigated thorougly in previous studies. To understand how game design of such games may change due to the usage of wearables and movement-based play, we conducted a participatory design workshop with (1) 25 participants, (2) designed a new game system according to our findings and (3) evaluated it with iterative tests with 15 participants in TTRPG sessions. Our study resulted in 8 player-centered game design implications for the use of arm-worn devices and movment-based play in narrative based long-term games like TTRPG. The implications present clues about forming the narrative, regulating the rules and the functional use of the device in game mechanics.

 

Role: Concept Creator, Game Designer, Main Author

Type: Full Paper

Conference: Proceedings of the 20th International Academic Mindtrek Conference

Stats: Acceptance rate: 52%, h5-index:11

Date: 2016

Co-Authors: Oğuzhan Özcan


PDF Cite ACM Slides