Introducing the Seamful Game - Great Fun with WiFi and GPS!!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.seamful.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.seamful.com/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Seamful Game is a GPS and WiFi based game played in the streets using PDAs. It began life as a project to test an idea about exploiting and exploring the seams of an 802.11 wireless network. Now approximately one year on, Bill is a fully featured multiplayer team game, which has been accused of being fun to play. Players must develop an understanding of the network coverage and the effect of signal strength in order to successfully play the game. In this way we are turning the patchy network coverage, which is usually seen as a problem to be overcome, or worse ignored, into a feature (indeed possibly the main feature) of the game."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/seamful.jpg" /><br /><br />Are jealous of folks enjoying great WiFi coverage everywhere they go? Well, now you don't have to be! Uhhh... no, I can't improve your coverage, but I can introduce a game that will have you becoming the envy of all who enjoy perfect coverage! ;) Seamful is a highly bizarre but innovative gaming concept. It's all centered around locating and collecting virtual tokens through your PDA and then "uploading" them to collect points. The catch is that if you upload in an area with no WiFi coverage, you lose your tokens. You also have to be wary of "pick-pocketing" where an opposing player within 10 meters can steal any coins not yet uploaded if you're in a WiFi-covered area. Then there's the whole concepts of mines and the points bonuses for team uploads... phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it. I don't know, guys. I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?! :|

[R K]

You mean it's a game where you have to walk around literally?
:D What's the point of that? :lol:

But seriously, I think there's a lot of untapped potiential for using GPS in pseudo-reality type games. This one might be fun.

[carphead]

Ok.....yes very nice ;)

Can I use my car as my gps is hardwired into that and I'm to lazy to walk anywhere?

I like the girls haircut very 60's :)

[sheik]

I can see sophisticated muggers logging onto this to home in on people carrying expensive gadgetry and not concentrating on their surroundings 8O

Seriously, games like this are going to be become increasingly common. Combat, trading and advanced messaging will all be catered for shortly.
Once something like the Nintendo DS gets GPS it will be incredibly popular with kids.
I think that's what Gizmondo (http://www.gizmondo.com/) are hoping to do, but I doubt they have the marketing muscle to succeed.

I can also see this helping wi-fi hotspot coverage. If loads of kids are wanting to play their GPS game, it would be worth pizza parlours etc offering free wi-fi access.

/\dam

[x999x]

I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?! :|

They're full of coins. They used to be just solid blue jeans, but they appear to have stretched.

[yawanag]

I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?!

Looks like a throw backto the "70s" I just gave a pair to Good Will recently. :lol:

[Pat Logsdon]

Hey, I have those pants!

Ok, not really. I have a strict policy of not buying anything made of Smurf skin.

The game looks interesting, btw. :mrgreen:

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?!

Looks like a throw backto the "70s" I just gave a pair to Good Will recently. :lol:
I think her entire look is a throwback to the 70's. ;)

The game looks interesting, btw.
Game? Oh yeah... almost forgot!! :twisted:

It is fascinating and given that the both of us live in LA, we can start our own gaming group. What do you think?

But what are we going to do in the future though when we have perfect coverage? This game relies on WiFi coverage gaps. I'd hate to slip into a post-mortem depression. :(

[Pat Logsdon]

But what are we going to do in the future though when we have perfect coverage? This game relies on WiFi coverage gaps. I'd hate to slip into a post-mortem depression. :(
We'll have to switch to Bluetooth. :twisted:

[R K]

But what are we going to do in the future though when we have perfect coverage? This game relies on WiFi coverage gaps. I'd hate to slip into a post-mortem depression. :(

You can play better games.

Imagine having access to sosme type of real-time radar that maps all the GPS locations of the other players. You could do a lot with that, like playing a "Hunters" type game where you have to track and chase down another player and take their picture to win.

That would be fun.

[Pat Logsdon]

a "Hunters" type game where you have to track and chase down another player and take their picture to win.
It would be even more fun if there was some sort of projectile involved. ;) Besides, some people (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=305170#305170) might not have cameras on their devices...(I keeeeed)

[R K]

Well, I did think of the projectile but then that tiny little detail called safety came into play and you wouldn't want to hurt the squirrels.

I guess you could always use paintball guns for that though.

As for embedded cameras, people who have a PDA and a GPS will probably have a digital camera too.

[rmasinag]

I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?!


What do you expect from geek girls, Paris Hilton? :lol:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Besides, some people (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=305170#305170) might not have cameras on their devices...(I keeeeed)

:twak:

Yes, you do! :wink:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Well, I did think of the projectile but then that tiny little detail called safety came into play and you wouldn't want to hurt the squirrels.

Do you want to ask Steve about that? (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23035&amp;start=0) :wink:

[R K]

Heh, that's a nice post.
Maybe we should attach GPS devices to squirrels and go squirrel hunting.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Heh, that's a nice post.
Maybe we should attach GPS devices to squirrels and go squirrel hunting.
Hey! This is a family show!

&lt;TV MODE>
Uhmmm.... the views and opinions brought to you by R K do not necessarily reflect the views of this program or its sponsors...
&lt;/TV MODE>

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I just keep wondering what's up with that girl's pants?!?!

What do you expect from geek girls, Paris Hilton? :lol:
Well... I can't expect that. I mean c'mon, in order to play, you have to at least know where your phone is located!!

[foebea]

Looking at that screenshot in the article here, it looks as though the wifi coverage is in a rough ellipse in the center of a field. Did someone string one out there just for the occaision?

I checked all through the site there, but there is no hint of a download that I could find, or mention of code status (stable, alpha) etc. Is this a real thing they are doing, or only a mockup for design purposes?

I would not mind having a go at this game, but do not think i would be able to find 3 other people to make up 2 teams of 2, and even if I could, chances are they would not have pocketpcs with the requisite hardware.


Question about the rules: Can I use a powered wifi antennae? :twisted:
How does this system prevent people from using GPRS connections?


This all boils down to a main request really - Can we get some more information about this please?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Good question. I don't know the answer either. The developer has his own site here (http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~matthew/). Perhaps an email to him will reveal where a download can be obtained.