Intangle: exploring interpersonal bodily interactions through sharing controllers

Multi-player computer games are increasingly being designed to engage with interpersonal bodily interactions, however, their focus is often limited to facilitating direct body contact. In contrast, we propose that designers foster varying levels of body contact through the design of shared controller interactions to introduce new types of gameplay that affords players a more nuanced engagement with the concept of socially and personally mediated body-space in games. We explore this through our game intangle, where participants follow computer-generated vocal instructions on how to operate shared controllers that results inevitably into players weaving their bodies together. This game embeds strong social values in the gameplay such as collaboration, empathy and inclusivity.