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“Today, I Will Take the Road Less Traveled”

Powen Yao

powenyao@usc.edu

10/26/2022

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Self Introduction

Powen Yao
Computer Science PhD Candidate
Thesis Advisor

Dr. Michael Zyda

PhD Thesis

Hyperphysical User Interface and Whole Body-Interaction in Extended Reality

Contact Info

powenyao@usc.edu
Powenyao on most social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, WeChat)

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Geolocation Games

Successes and Failures

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Here is the first chart I found off Google regarding annual revenue of Pokemon Go.

Even with the pandemic, or perhaps because of the pandemic, that it’s doing fairly well.

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Games from Niantic Games

Game	Timeline	Status
Ingress / Ingress Prime	2012/2018 Relaunch - Current	Active
Pokemon Go	2015 - Current	Active
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite	2017 - 2022	Shutdown
Catan: World Explorers	Shutdown Nov 2021	Shutdown
Pikmin Bloom	2021 - Current	Active
Transformers: Heavy Metal	Cancelled June 2022	Cancelled
Peridot	Open Beta July 2022	Open Beta
NBA All-World	Announced June 2022	Announced

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Passive vs. Active Engagement

The First Road Less Traveled

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Passive Engagement

Nintendo 3DS StreetPass
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector
Idle Game Genre
Waiting Mechanics

Crop to grow
Buildings to be constructed
Characters to be trained

Etc

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https://animalcrossing.fandom.com/wiki/StreetPass?file=Streetpass.png

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Our Geolocation RPG

A Roleplaying Game where the player character will automatically perform actions based on the player’s geolocation and previous commands, even if the player is not actively engaged.

Player is presenting at work

Player character exploring nearby locations

Image 1: https://www.platinumcopiers.com/blog/office-management-tips/6-tips-for-a-great-office-presentation/

Image 2: A Township Tale

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Wanderlust

The Second Road Less Traveled

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Home Sweet Home

The Third Road Less Traveled

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Homebase

Home

Main base

Work/School

Secondary base

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/the-mont-saint-michel/

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Homebase Activities

Character Development
Base Development
Full Crafting
Set up shop for other players

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/the-mont-saint-michel/

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Shaping User Behavior

The Fourth Road Less Traveled

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Shaping User Behavior

Productivity Tool

The Fourth Road Less Traveled

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Player. Player Character. Together. Strong.

Excursions

Gyms, Parks, Fitness Centers,

Character Development - Physical

School, Library, Bookstore

Character Development - Mental
Character Development - Skills

Entertainment Locations (Arcade,

Regain Character HP/MP
Character Development

Sponsored Partner Locations

Unique rewards

Home (Time spent on phone/PC)

No distraction mode

Improved Character Efficiency

Exercise App Connectivity

Character Development - Physical

Learning App Connectivity

Character Development - Mental

Sleep/Nap Connectivity

Regain Character HP/MP

Self-Report Activities

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TL;DR

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Summary

Players play the game by doing their normal daily activities.
Player are nudged to explore and take different routes
Player has the option of actively engaging specific geolocation, when they have the time.
Player actions in real life are linked to and affect Player Characters

https://www.deviantart.com/schmax-44/art/Parallel-Worlds-749229504

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