Urban Jamification: Gincanas as location-based mobile games in Brazil

Adriana de Souza e Silva, Isabel Cristina G. Froes

Research output: Journal Article or Conference Article in JournalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Gincanas are a traditional event in Brazilian culture where groups of people compete against each other by solving tasks. Recently, the Dutch Waag Society and the Brazilian Mobilefest developed the location-based game called Global Gincana, where players use their phones as interfaces to interact with the game space through solving location-based tasks about the countries’ history and culture. By exploring the history of Brazilian gincanas and how they have evolved through the spread and appropriation of mobile technologies, this article addresses two main research questions: (1) how mobility and the configuration of urban space influence the design and performance of location-based mobile games; and (2) how the urban and socio-economic context of developing countries, specifically Brazil, shape mobile technology appropriation and location-based mobile game design. We demonstrate that urban spaces can convey a multiplicity of performances, encompassing a vast arrange of applications, ranging from education and philanthropic to marketing oriented.
Original languageEnglish
JournalSelected Papers of Internet Research
Volume14
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 2013
EventInternet Research 14.0: Resistance and Appropriation - Denver, United States
Duration: 23 Oct 201326 Oct 2013
Conference number: 14
http://ir14.aoir.org/

Conference

ConferenceInternet Research 14.0: Resistance and Appropriation
Number14
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver
Period23/10/201326/10/2013
Internet address

Keywords

  • gamification
  • gincana
  • location-based games
  • mobile phones
  • Brazil
  • global south

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Urban Jamification: Gincanas as location-based mobile games in Brazil'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this