On the use of augmented reality technology for creating interactive computer games

Abstract

In this paper, we design interactive games systems that adopt augmented reality (AR) technology. By virtue of a conventional webcam for capturing source images, we develop real-time visual tracking techniques based on edge detection and make 3D virtual objects display on our defined markers that are within the source images in the field of view (FOV) of the webcam. Two kinds of gaming interfaces are created for example: one is an AR based Monopoly game, and the other is an AR based fighting game. There are five classic human computer interface design methods considered to create the above AR based game systems. In the example of Monopoly games, we demonstrate how a traditional table game can be turned into an interactive computer game using the AR technology. We also list the advantages of a marker based approach and state why it is suitable for the interactive computer game. Further, the existing popular game consoles with different gaming interfaces are compared to the two AR based game systems. The comparison results reveal that our proposed AR based game systems are lower in cost and better in extensibility. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.