Mobile Game Play and Everyday Life

This chapter introduces mobile games and the particular way of playing them, in short, mobile game play. Mobile games are rule systems based on the physical movement of a player in a world merging the real world with virtual dimensions. Mobile games are played at different times and in different situations: at home, at work, at the bus station while waiting for the bus, or while on the move. Mobile games allow us to study the traditional, the original quality of gaming and play. The chapter focuses on the nature of mobile game play, uniting both traditional and novel facets of gaming and play. Analyzing relationships between game systems and contexts of play, the chapter unveils mobile game play as a moment of everyday life activity. The chapter elaborates on particular issues of meaningful mobile game play with reference to location, social interaction, and augmented realities.