Designing sound for a pervasive mobile game

Abstract

We examine the role of sound design in pervasive mobile games. As a case study, we present the sound design and evaluation of a working prototype game called The Songs of North. A play-test with 19 players was conducted over a two-week period. The results imply that using sound information can facilitate physical movement as a main game mechanic. However, using sound to convey information is still an unfamiliar game mechanic to many sighted players. The research highlights the importance of social playability in the sound design of mobile games. Also, some insights on the role of sound in producing immersive gaming experiences are discussed.