Playing together while apart: Exploring asymmetric and interdependent games for remote play

Abstract

Sharing recreational experiences with loved ones can improve well-being, experience enjoyment, relationship quality, and feelings of closeness. Despite these benefits, study participants report numerous barriers to shared recreation with loved ones. Among others, these include differences in recreational preferences and safety measures associated with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this paper we examine how loved ones use, and wish to use, technology to play together while apart. We take into account reported barriers to shared recreation and present the Planet Runner technology probe, a two-player digital-physical game which mediates a shared interdependent asymmetric recreational experience involving the outdoors. We share early findings from an exploratory study and conclude by highlighting design considerations for asymmetric games intended to mediate shared remote play experiences involving the outdoors.