Pocket Skate: Prototype of A Mobile Projection-Based Game

Introduction: Exergaming is the activity in which this kind of videogame relies on the technology from the body’s movement or reaction. There are several existing commercial devices that has been used as user interface for an exergaming activity such XBOX Kinnect and Nintendo Wii Fit. However, these games platform are quite expensive and considered as luxury as they are a dedicated device only for games. What we propose here a different kind of exergaming, that is by using a typical mobile phone as the censor/controller and combined it with a display device such as a smart TV or a laptop. Methods: We use prototyping model that involve “communication”, where the problem and/or room for improvement is being identified, then “quick plan”, where various information are being analyzed and all the required components are being recorded and verified, and then “quick design”, where the app design be created, and then “prototype construction” when we create the app, and lastly “deployment and feedback” where we tried the app and check for faults. The cycle repeats for fixing any things that did not work. Results: The researcher was able to construct a proof of concept prototype of the app. First, the player will look the hero, a skater, on smart TV or other wireless projection where will be receive mirror feeds from the smartphone. The smartphone itself was placed on the player hips and to control the skater and user must make a small jump to make the skater jump or face side to side to make the skater change direction. Discussion: While the app is still a prototype, yet it was able to show how a game can use a projected-based interface and mixed it the use of gyroscope and accelerometer censors. Future recommendation would be integrating it with calories counters for it to be fully “exergaming”. Keywords: exergaming, gyroscope, accelerometer, virtual reality, Unity 3D Engine