A case study of mobile games design with a real-world component based on Google Maps and Unity

Game development often requires more than technical skills to create outstanding experiences in digital entertainment. In the mobile world, gamification has been used to improve the user experience, combining simplicity of use with attractive game design elements into a unique package for real-world applications. In this paper, a common framework for mobile games with a real-world component is proposed. The game engine, based on Google Maps and Unity, can be easily adapted for a particular scenario, such as GPS navigation, fitness trackers and even courier services, requiring minimal knowledge about traditional game engines. The prototypes presented are promising towards a more accessible framework for mobile developers to create the next generation mobile applications with a game-like design.