An Interactive Application Framework for Natural Parks using Serious Location-based Games with Augmented Reality

Liliana Santos, Nuno Silva, Rui Nóbrega, Rui Nóbrega, Rubim Almeida, António Coelho, António Coelho

2020

Abstract

Park visitors and tourists, in general, seek new experiences, leading to a growing search for ways to create more memorable experiences. Some technological solutions, such as Augmented Reality, have proved that they can be useful to create more immersive and interactive experiences, both in entertainment and education. An application with Augmented Reality, using location-based services in a gamified way, can create pleasant and entertaining outdoor experiences without losing its pedagogical ability, making it a promising fit for a nature park. We propose a conceptual framework for creating these mobile applications for nature parks. From which, a mobile application was prototyped with location-based services and augmented reality interactive experiences, with the purpose of disseminating scientific knowledge about the fauna and flora of a nature park. Gaming elements are also introduced in the application’s design to try and improve the engagement and involvement in the various activities of the application and its contents. User tests were performed during the development of the prototype and with the final version. The results allow us to conclude that this type of applications can improve the visitors’ experience while at the same time, improve the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Paper Citation

in Bibtex Style

@conference{grapp20,
author={Liliana Santos and Nuno Silva and Rui Nóbrega and Rubim Almeida and António Coelho},
title={An Interactive Application Framework for Natural Parks using Serious Location-based Games with Augmented Reality},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2020) - Volume 1: GRAPP},
year={2020},
pages={247-254},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0008947602470254},
isbn={978-989-758-402-2},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2020) - Volume 1: GRAPP
TI - An Interactive Application Framework for Natural Parks using Serious Location-based Games with Augmented Reality
SN - 978-989-758-402-2
AU - Santos L.
AU - Silva N.
AU - Nóbrega R.
AU - Almeida R.
AU - Coelho A.
PY - 2020
SP - 247
EP - 254
DO - 10.5220/0008947602470254
PB - SciTePress

in Harvard Style

Santos L., Silva N., Nóbrega R., Almeida R. and Coelho A. (2020). An Interactive Application Framework for Natural Parks using Serious Location-based Games with Augmented Reality. In Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications (VISIGRAPP 2020) - Volume 1: GRAPP; ISBN 978-989-758-402-2, SciTePress, pages 247-254. DOI: 10.5220/0008947602470254