Backseat Playground is a GPS-based game that takes your location into account during gameplay. It is currently a prototype that is designed for kids stuck in the car on long rides. The researchers site has a video of two children playing the game. Microsoft Research was on the original funders of the project. This is exactly what I was hoping for when I read about the Sony PSP GPS dongle (Radar post). New Scientist is reporting that they are currently testing the game in Stockholm and the UK. More from New Scientist:
The Backseat Playground consists of a GPS receiver, a handheld computer and headphones, all connected to a laptop in the trunk of the car.
The laptop uses the GPS data to maintain a three-dimensional model that keeps the car correctly positioned within the virtual world. A database of geographical information is used to match events in the game to suitable locations. Players interact using the handheld computer.
The game begins with a radio newsflash, relayed by the handheld computer, which places a passenger at the start of a murder mystery or a werewolf thriller. As the car travels along its route, the player receives further phone calls and walkie-talkie messages from characters in the game.
Cool! I hope that they are ready in time for Where 2.0 2007.
[Via Engadet who found it via The Raw Feed]