Between the Bottle Cap and the Battery: An Investigation of Interrupted Gameplay

Abstract

In this paper we present the initial results of a pilot study designed to explore the reactions and actions of children who experience a power failure while playing a hybrid physical/digital game. We wanted to see whether we can maintain the engagement of the children with the game if the digital component of the game (a tablet based game) ceases to function and if so whether they will continue from where they left off in the digital game or whether they will start a new round of gameplay. Early results suggests that the power failure and the resultant interruption to gameplay did not hamper the children engagement with the game but provided them with the opportunity to re-engage with the physical elements of the game. This suggests new directions for exploring the design of hybrid physical/digital games.