Sensors driven game experiences

Dr John Henry and a team of researchers at the Department of Computing and Mathematics at the Manchester Metropolitan University and members of the Manchester Game Centre are investigating how sensor driven experiences can determine play and empower new interactions. This direction of research has designed several projects:

Cardia: Heart-rate controlled game

Cardia had a simple mission. Can we have a game that is controlled by someone’s heart rate alone? No game-controllers, no keyboard and mouse, no cards or boards, nothing but your heart rate. Naturally, this question led the team to consider a digital solution that would allow a sensor to read the heart rate. Using a Fitbit Versa 2, the team were able to prototype a game that sees a player running away from a slime character that chases you through a two stage level. Players also must sprint for a little while to translate their elevated heart rate into a jump.

The game has been used as an outreach activity for British Science Week 2023 and 2024 and has helped introduce new understanding on how we may design new experiences that are led by sensors and biofeedback.

Screenshot of Cardia, read more here: https://doi.org/10.1109/SeGAH57547.2023.10253785

RemixPlay Sensors

RemixPlay: Sensors forms part of the GameChangers RemixPlay summit series and, as always, continues to explore the dynamic realm of play, and gameplay. This time around, we’re diving into the captivating and engaging world of sensor-based interfaces, with a keen eye on meaningful outcomes and serious objectives. Following the success of RemixPlay 5, which took place in 2023, we are thrilled to introduce a new format for the summit that features hands-on mini-events.

The research team, led by Dr John Henry, work closely with Professor Sylvester Arnab, who leads the GameChanges research lab at Coventry University. Anyone attending the workshops will have the opportunity to play sensor driven games or sensor embedded game experiences, including Cardia, and will help researchers understand what future directions they could be considering. Register here to take part in the Manchester Metropolitan event on the 31st of May: RemixPlay: SENSORS Registration (office.com).

PhD Research: Motor – competency training for young children through sensor driven game experiences.

PhD Researcher, Oscar O’Brien, is investigating how game experiences and sensors can help improve motor skill competency in young children. With young children being more sedentary, experts have noted a reduction in motor skill abilities. The increase in sedentary behaviour in young children is partially attributable to gaming. As such, this project investigates how gaming can become part of the solution. The project will co-design a sensor driven experience with children and tutors, to ensure that the technology and experience considers the resources and other conditions that come with creating a digital game to work well in primary schools.

Future Research

The team, led by Dr John Henry, are working on several new directions in the area too, including gamifying the co-design process for digital games and working with industry partners on healthcare applications of games-based experiences. If you would like to help shape the future, then please join us at the RemixPlay: Sensors Workshops: Remix Play: Sensors | GameChangers (gchangers.org) or get in touch with Dr John Henry (john.henry@mmu.ac.uk) if you are interested in future collaborations in the area.