Making the City a Digital Playground
If applauding Andy Murray at Wimbledon was too nervy, watching England in South Africa too fraught, and the thought of the Open Golf at St.Andrews far too wet, then maybe this is the weekend that sports lovers of all ages forget about whether you’re a participant or spectator, and get involved in “pervasive gaming.”
For those who have been on a workout on a Wii fit, wiled away a train journey playing Flight Control on the iPhone or becoming Mayor of Starbucks on Foursquare, you’ve probably already got a sense that computer games are moving out of the bedroom and into every day life – with technology as the enabler. “Pervasive Gaming” is a new type of “play” that allow you to interact with your every day environment, turning the drab shopping centre or the dull town square into a real life gaming environment.
Not sure if its coincidental, or simply these ideas coming of age, but this weekend there are two great opportunities to “join in” yourself. Firstly, the Larkin’ About festival comes to Manchester city centre on Saturday. A series of unusual events and collaborations take place in the Arndale, Piccadilly Gardens and Halle square, offering passers-by and other participants a chance to become part of a range of inventive “pervasive” games. Whether you’re in town anyway, or want to try something different, it should be a fantastic day of unexpected interventions and inventions.
Over in Eccles Shopping Centre meanwhile, there’s something scary happening – as the shopping centre has been taken over by Zombies – and you’ve got to stop the Zombie virus spreading. Join Lets Go Global to help stop the Zombie invasion by becoming part of the story – and then, help “mash up” the video footage of the event to make a short film about the experience!
By combining digital technology and street performance, these are two great opportunities to break down the barriers between being audience and participant, and take the video game out of the bedroom and onto the streets, and a chance to have fun with friends and strangers alike.
