Player Perception of Context Information Utilization in Pervasive Mobile Games

This study examines how players perceive the use of context information, including environmental, spatio-temporal, proximity, and social context, in Mythical: the Mobile Awakening, a pervasive mobile multiplayer game. Drawing on interviews, a questionnaire, and server logs from 373 players over 116 days, the research positions itself as an exploratory investigation into whether context-driven mechanics enhance or detract from player experience. The overall reception was positive, with players responding favorably to context-based gameplay in general.

Time of day emerged as the most appreciated form of context. Its role in gameplay was straightforward and easy to grasp, and roughly 60 percent of questionnaire respondents favored time-based rituals. A strong correlation (r = .924, p<0.01) linked fragmented play across the day with fun, suggesting that spreading play sessions over time was a meaningful source of enjoyment. By contrast, environmental and proximity context, such as temperature and Bluetooth scanning, was viewed as less engaging, largely because players found these conditions difficult to understand or to satisfy. Interest in these elements also depended heavily on players' prior experience with them.

The findings additionally indicate that context requirements introduced a challenge layer, as players had to identify the appropriate context for tasks, yet they still found this engaging. The authors conclude that context features must be clearly explained, since obscure links between context and game design diminish their appeal. They also acknowledge that the low questionnaire response rate of 15 respondents limits the strength of the quantitative conclusions, positioning the work as a foundational step toward understanding player perception of context utilization in pervasive games.