Bubble Popper is a physical game that combines the magic of popping bubbles in a merged physical-virtual space: players pop virtual bubbles appearing in the physical environment – in this case, a wall. Players can enjoy the tranquillity of popping bubbles, similar to a bubble-wrap popping experience, or they can engage in competitive play, trying to pop more bubbles than their play partner.
This game questions our understanding of how physical bodies relate to one another in digital games: unlike in most console games, such as with Nintendo’s Wii, Sony’s Move and Microsoft’s Kinect where the sensor technology requires players to occupy distinct playing spaces and body contact is discouraged, the players in Bubble Popper are encouraged to use each other’s bodies in the game interaction: players can lift one another up to reach bubbles higher up, or they can push each other out of the way to snatch bubbles away from their play partner.
Bubble Popper uses a WiiMote that tracks infrared light that is triggered by a custom-made glove (which is actually an oven mitt with sensors) that participants wear to pop the bubbles.
Team Members:
- Chad Toprak
- Josh Platt
- Ho Hsin Yang
Awards & Recognition:
- CHI Interactivity 2013 Official Selection – Exhibited in Paris, France.
- Fun and Games 2012, First Place Award in Student Game Design Competition – Toulouse, France.
- Games for Change ANZ 2012 Official Selection – Exhibited at the G4C ANZ Games Arcade.
- Pause Fest 2011 Official Selection – Exhibited at Melbourne Central.
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