Traces

Project Title

Traces

Project Area of Specialization Augmented and Virtual RealityProject Summary

Game ‘Traces’ is an Augmented Reality and Geolocation based traveling game for kids.  In this game a user can leave graphical models (trace) in a real-world environment. The traces are placed on specific GPS coordinates as augmented reality objects.

Trace

It’s a 3D model that can be placed as an augmented reality object at specific GPS coordinates. 3D model can be text based or object based. These models will be provided in the game itself.

There are two basic modes in our game.

Solo Mode:

A kid can play our game by discovering traces that are placed randomly around him/her. These traces can also be discovered in a sequential method. For example discovering traces in the order “A, B, C … ”. Kids will get a score based on their progress. In this way our game will aid in the learning process of kids. The score that the players will earn by playing this mode will improve their ranking on the leaderboard too. Guardians can also set this mode up for their kids by defining the locations for each trace to be placed on the map. They can also define a geofence for their kids so that they don’t wander off too far playing our game.

Multiplayer Mode:

Players can leave their own traces using this mode. A player can choose a 3D model from his/her model collection and can leave it on real world coordinates. Another kid can discover his/her trace by being in that exact same location. In this mode, the kids will get score by leaving traces in places where its difficult for other kids to find the trace. Player will keep getting the score until someone else finds and replaces his/her trace. This will add a fun factor to our game where kids can play with each other. This will also motivate kids to discover places around them with their guardians. They can visit parks and leave traces for other kids.

Both modes will encourage the kids to walk and discover their surroundings.

Project Objectives

1. To develop an interactive and easy to use common interface.
2. To provide an optimized user experience and an interesting gameplay.
3. To notify users about nearby traces that they could discover.
4. To let users, place their traces on a desired location.
5. To provide users with developed models to be placed as traces.
6. To score users using an algorithm that could calculate the intensity of difficulty for a location.
7. To upgrade user levels after a score is achieved and to unlock new models of traces.
8. To develop a game strategy that minimizes cheating and maximizes user interest.

Project Implementation Method

The game will include a simple main interface which is a map with current location pin. The game will allow players to place traces at GPS coordinates and view other traces. Players can replace traces of other people. Players will be scored according to the time their trace remains undiscovered. This score will be calculated by an algorithm that we will deduce. An intriguing gameplay strategy will be designed to motivate the players to continue playing. 3D models will be used from a store and will not be designed by us.

In the solo mode players can opt for challenges given by our game. They must discover the traces around them which are placed randomly by our game. The players can also be asked to discover these traces in a sequential method.

Benefits of the Project

Research states that a common person interacts his/her phone 5,427 times a day. This excessive use of phone is causing great harm to humans. Users are becoming lethargic due to no physical exercise. Excessive use of social media is taking them away from beauty of the nature which indulges them to weak mental health. There is no walk and play learning app for kids.

Our Game-Based Solution

• AR feature will let the players enjoy nature
• Walk and Play strategy will help the players to do physical exercise
• Challenges and Competition will help the players to practice the competitive environment of the society.
• The Trace placement and Finding will help the players to explore their surroundings and discover new places.
• Sequential Traces will help in the learning of kids. 

As there are less AR based walk and play games so it can be believed that this game will have that potential as far as business opportunity is concerned. This game will have positive impact on the kids by motivating them to enjoy the world around them. The feature of finding a difficult place for placing replacing traces and the ranking on its basis will make the game even more interesting and addictive.

The leaderboard will draw a comparison with other people around which will motivate the people to reach the top of the leaderboard. The sequential mode will help kids to learn about sequential information in a fun and interesting way. There doesn’t exist an app to aid learning by using augmented reality.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

1. User Authentication
2. Players can see current location on map screen
3. Players can choose from the collection of models they have unlocked
4. Players can place AR Models (traces)
5. Players can view AR Models (traces) of others
6. Player can replace a trace of another player once they reach at that location
7. Players get notified about nearby traces as they approach near them
8. Players get scored based on the amount of time their trace remains undiscovered
9. Players get ranked on a global leaderboard
10. Players unlock new traces as their levels are upgraded
11. Solo mode can place traces around a player randomly or as specified by a parent.
12. A geofence can be created around a user to protect them from going too far from their guardian.
13. Discovering Traces in solo mode could be made sequential (i.e. Trace of ‘A’ then Trace of ‘B’ and so on)

Final Deliverable of the Project Software SystemCore Industry EducationOther Industries Education Core Technology Augmented & Virtual RealityOther Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Quality EducationRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	35000
Mi A3 (Android Smartphone)	Equipment	1	35000	35000