Augmented Hide-And-Seek: Evaluating Spatial Decision-Making and Player Experience in a Multiplayer Location-Based Game

This paper presents a study on the impact of enabling remote gameplay via Augmented Reality (AR) on spatial decision-making and player experience in a hide-and-seek game. We designed a remote multiplayer handheld-based AR game and evaluated how it influences players’ spatial decision-making strategies, engagement, and gameplay experience. In a study with 60 participants, we compared remote gameplay in our AR game to traditional hide-and-seek. Our findings show that AR enhances gameplay by improving spatial interactions, decision-making, and collaboration. Despite navigation challenges, AR has the potential to foster player engagement and social interaction, contributing to the design of future AR games and beyond.