Intercultural socializing via mobile games for backpackers

Abstract

Mobile phones are currently shipped with pre-installed games all around the world. In most cases, these pre-installed games contain very little elements of sharing local heritage, traditional values and beliefs. Naturally, such pre-installed mobile games are provided with a different intent and under various commercial contexts. This paper looks at the design and development of intercultural mobile games aimed for backpackers. This is to allow backpackers to socialize, to share and to learn new cultures during their travels. User evaluation studies were conducted to collect the backpacker's feedback and to improve on conceptualization during the design process. The results were used collectively to provide input for improving the design concepts and interfaces. Screenshots of the mobile games are provided. In general, the results highlight important considerations when deploying an intercultural mobile game to backpackers. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.