Mixed-Reality Robotic Games: Design Guidelines for Effective Entertainment With Consumer Robots

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of robotic technology at home. A number of service robots appeared on the market, supporting customers in the execution of everyday tasks. Roughly at the same time, consumer-level robots started to be used also as toys or gaming companions. However, gaming possibilities provided by current off-the-shelf robotic products are generally quite limited, and this fact makes them quickly loose their attractiveness. A way that has been proven capable to boost robotic gaming and related devices consists in creating playful experiences in which physical and digital elements are combined together using mixed-reality technologies. However, these games differ significantly from digital- or physical-only experiences, and new design principles are required to support developers in their creative work. This article addresses such need, by drafting a set of guidelines which summarize developments carried out by the research community and their findings.