Cube2Pipes : Investigating Hybrid Gameplay Using AR and a Tangible 3D Puzzle

TL;DR

Cube2Pipes explores hybrid gameplay by integrating a tangible 3D puzzle with augmented reality, evaluating user engagement and spatial understanding through comprehensive user studies.

Contribution

Introduces a novel hybrid AR game using a tangible Rubik's Cube interface and assesses its impact on user engagement and spatial comprehension.

Findings

Hybrid gameplay is more engaging than virtual-only gameplay.

Tangible interface enhances understanding of spatial moves.

User preference favors hybrid interaction methods.

Abstract

We present our game, Cube2Pipes, as an attempt to investigate a unique gameplay design where we use a tangible 3D spatial puzzle, in the form of a 2X2 Rubik's Cube, as an interface to a tabletop mobile augmented reality (AR) game. The game interface adapts to user movement and interaction with both virtual and tangible elements via computer vision based tracking. This game can be seen as an instance of generic interactive hybrid systems as it involves interaction with both virtual and real, tangible elements. We present a thorough user evaluation about various aspects of the gameplay in order to answer the question as to whether hybrid gameplay involving both real and virtual interfaces and elements is more captivating and preferred by users, than standard (baseline) gameplay with only virtual elements. We use multiple industry standard user study questionnaires to try and answer this question. We also try to determine whether the game facilitates understanding of the spatial moves required to solve a Rubik's Cube, and the efficacy of a tangible puzzle interface to a tabletop AR game.