FishPong

Abstract

In this paper we introduce <i>FishPong</i>, an interactive system designed to stimulate informal computer-supported cooperative play (CSCP) in public spaces such as coffeehouses and cafés. <i>FishPong</i> consists of a tabletop tangible user interface (TUI) that allows users to control a fish-themed video game using magnetically tagged coffee cups. <i>FishPong</i> has been designed as an "icebreaker" technology to encourage spontaneous social interaction among coffeehouse patrons. This work serves as an example of how environments might be subtly and unobtrusively augmented in order to facilitate informal human-to-human interaction.