Playing with Fire: towards virtual prototyping of wearable computing for highly situated contexts of use

In this paper we motivate and present our approach to use game-like techniques for designing wearable computing solutions for the Paris Fire Brigade. We explain why designing innovative technologies for skillful, situated and collaborative activities is particularly difficult and why game-like techniques can be particularly helpful for this task. We present the specific difficulties for emergency response and three game-like techniques we are using in a coherent design process with our users.