research-article

Group Interactions in Location-Based Gaming: A Case Study of Raiding in Pokémon GO

Authors:

Arpita Bhattacharya,

Travis W. Windleharth,

Rio Anthony Ishii,

Ivy M. Acevedo,

Cecilia R. Aragon,

Julie A. Kientz,

Jin Ha LeeAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '19: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Paper No.: 587, Pages 1 - 12

https://doi.org/10.1145/3290605.3300817

Published: 02 May 2019 Publication History

Abstract

Raiding is a format in digital gaming that requires groups of people to collaborate and/or compete for a common goal. In 2017, the raiding format was introduced in the location-based mobile game Pokémon GO, which offers a mixed reality experience to friends and strangers coordinating for in-person raids. To understand this technology-mediated social phenomenon, we conducted over a year of participant observations, surveys with 510 players, and interviews with 25 players who raid in Pokémon GO. Using the analytical lens of Arrow, McGrath, and Berdahl's theory of small groups as complex systems, we identify global, local, and contextual dynamics in location-based raiding that support and challenge ad-hoc group formation in real life. Based on this empirical and theoretical understanding, we discuss implications to design for transparency, social affordances, and bridging gaps between global and contextual dynamics for increased positive and inclusive community interactions.

Supplementary Material

ZIP File (paper587.zip)

We have uploaded the following two supplementary files: Appendix A: Study protocols Documents contains the questions we asked participants in our survey and interviews. Appendix B: Examples of online interactions for raiding Document contains examples of online interactions to coordinate raiding and discussions on community norms by moderators.

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1.02 MB

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Cited By

Laato SSöbke HBaer M(2024)Augmented future: tracing the trajectory of location-based augmented reality gaming for the next ten yearsi-com10.1515/icom-2024-001823:2(189-203)Online publication date: 14-May-2024
https://doi.org/10.1515/icom-2024-0018
Laato SRauti SKordyaka BPapangelis KJung SNummenmaa THamari J(2024)Gamification of walking in nature: A field experiment with Pokémon GO RoutesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770758:CHI PLAY(1-25)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677075
Lee LLin Z(2024)Danger, Nuisance, Disregard: Analyzing User-Generated Videos for Augmented Reality Gameplay on Hand-held DevicesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770638:CHI PLAY(1-33)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
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Index Terms

Group Interactions in Location-Based Gaming: A Case Study of Raiding in Pokémon GO
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Collaborative and social computing
  2. Human computer interaction (HCI)

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '19: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

May 2019

9077 pages

ISBN:9781450359702

DOI:10.1145/3290605

General Chairs:
Stephen Brewster
University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
,
Geraldine Fitzpatrick
TU Wien, Austria
,
Program Chairs:
Anna Cox
University College London, UK
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Vassilis Kostakos
University of Melbourne, Australia

Copyright © 2019 ACM.

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Published: 02 May 2019

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Cited By

Laato SSöbke HBaer M(2024)Augmented future: tracing the trajectory of location-based augmented reality gaming for the next ten yearsi-com10.1515/icom-2024-001823:2(189-203)Online publication date: 14-May-2024
https://doi.org/10.1515/icom-2024-0018
Laato SRauti SKordyaka BPapangelis KJung SNummenmaa THamari J(2024)Gamification of walking in nature: A field experiment with Pokémon GO RoutesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770758:CHI PLAY(1-25)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677075
Lee LLin Z(2024)Danger, Nuisance, Disregard: Analyzing User-Generated Videos for Augmented Reality Gameplay on Hand-held DevicesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36770638:CHI PLAY(1-33)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3677063
Dunham JXu JPapangelis KLalone NSaker MSchwartz D(2024)Pokémon GO as an Advertising Platform: The Case for Locative Advertising in Location-based GamesGames: Research and Practice10.1145/36415092:1(1-25)Online publication date: 18-Mar-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3641509
Luna SXu JPapangelis KTigwell GLalone NSaker MChamberlain ALaato SDunham JWang Y(2024)Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination in a Co-located Shared Augmented Reality Game: Perspectives From Deaf and Hard of Hearing PeopleProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642953(1-14)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642953
Kordyaka BLaato SWeber SHamari JNiehaves B(2024)Exploring the association between engagement with location-based game features and getting inspired about environmental issues and natureProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642786(1-15)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642786
Shaikh RSingh ABrown BLampinen A(2024)Not Just A Dot on The Map: Food Delivery Workers as InfrastructureProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3641918(1-15)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
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Laato SFernández Galeote DAltarriba Bertran FPapangelis KHamari J(2023)How Location-Based Games Incentivize Moving About: A Study in the Context of Nature-GoingProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36110447:CHI PLAY(642-664)Online publication date: 4-Oct-2023
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Kordyaka BLaato SJahn KHamari JNiehaves B(2023)The Cycle of Toxicity: Exploring Relationships between Personality and Player Roles in Toxic Behavior in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena GamesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36110437:CHI PLAY(611-641)Online publication date: 4-Oct-2023
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Dunham JPapangelis KLaato SLalone NLee JSaker M(2023)The Impacts of Covid-19 on Players of Pokémon GOACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction10.1145/356989630:4(1-31)Online publication date: 11-Sep-2023
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