From playgrounds to smartphones: Mobile evolution of a kids game

In the last decades mobile phones have evolved into powerful devices able to bring Internet services into our pockets. Following this trend, a popular application as gaming has extended its domain from home computers and consoles to the mobile realm. Indeed, mobile games embody a successful application for smartphones able to engage millions of subscribers worldwide. The next step is the creation of a new generation of mobile games, representing more than just a tiny version of home entertainment blockbusters; the ubiquitous use and the interesting features (i.e., camera, gyroscope, connectivity, GPS, etc.) of mobile phones create unprecedented opportunities for completely new kinds of gaming experience. As a proof of concept, we have created an application for mobile phones exploiting their camera and connectivity as available in every modern smartphone to digitally replicate and enhance an outdoor game for children that would not be playable through a desktop PC.