Multi-device, multi-player gaming: Issues and application

• Main Authors: Cheng, Danny, Chu, Allan Christopher
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Video games; Mobile communication systems; Computer Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4204
• Institution: De La Salle University

Purpose - This paper aims to present the different issues that must be tackled when creating a viable multi-user, multi-device game. The issues tackled range from user interaction issues to graphics quality to bandwidth constraints. The paper also aims to present different configurations depending on the type of game to be created and a strategy for network gaming using heterogeneous devices focusing on the development of a game that allows users of mobile devices and desktop computers to interact and compete on a single domain. Design/methodology/approach - A tank battle game was developed that plays the same game across both a mobile device such as a phone/PDA and a desktop counterpart. Findings - Although there is a sacrifice in the richness of the game environment on mobile devices, it is possible to develop games that play across platforms and devices, and safeguards can be put in place in order not to overly handicap players using mobile devices. Research limitations/implications - The research focused on a single type of game. It would be ideal to attempt such work on other game genres or platforms. The implications of such work would be that the ubiquity of game play could be extended and the overall gaming experience improved. Originality/value - This paper allows game developers to rethink the possibilities as they develop new games. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.