Futuclass AR
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
In this thesis, an AR educational game called Futuclass AR was created. The game is
based on the current VR game Futuclass Hub — an educational virtual reality (VR) game
available on Steam developed by Futuclass OÜ. The Futuclass AR is based on the DLC
module Reaction Balancing I. Futuclass AR created in this thesis is for the 2 popular
mobile device platforms — Android and iOS. Futuclass AR shares the same goal as its VR
version which is to provide a new kind of interactive learning platform for improving
7-9th grade chemistry learning through Extended Reality (XR).
During this thesis, the requirements for Futuclass AR were created in interaction with the
client (Futuclass OÜ). The main contribution was the game asset design, the prototype
implementation and gameplay improvement through usability testing evaluation. The most
valuable part of this thesis is the game design considerations about using different kinds of
AR markers. AR markers have been designed and act as learning materials. They are the
Chemical Cards — self-printed AR markers with different chemistry-related elements like
molecules’ name and chemical formulae. The main concept of the game design is to make
use of the cards and the mobile screen to provide a fun, card learning game with AR
contents.
Two usability testing sessions have been conducted with 13 7th grade pupils and 16 9th
grade pupils correspondingly. There was an issue that the image tracking was not working
as expected on some of the Android devices but it was unreproducible with our Android
devices in internal testing. Due to the limited time scope, only iOS devices are tested for
the 2nd usability testing session. Besides the above issue, feedback and some
improvement suggestions were collected from the testing sessions. Fixes have been done
to enhance the UX and improve the game flow. A mass-scale impact testing will be held in
near future.
Thus, the thesis provides a good prototype for Futuclass OÜ to continue developing.
Description
Keywords
Computer Graphics, Augmented Reality, AR, Marker-based AR, Mobile AR, Educational Game Design