HeyThere: Design and Evaluation of an Augmented Reality Multiplayer Social Game

Augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) have rapidly evolved and demonstrated great potential in various domains, especially for mobile scenarios, including social gaming. In this paper, we present the design and evaluation of Hey There, an AR HMD social game developed on the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and designed to foster face-to-face interactions among strangers. The game aims to enhance social interaction by facilitating initial ice-breaking and enabling users to build future interactions. It also introduces an element of” serendipity” into the gaming experience. In the paper, we present our design choices for and implementation of Hey There, taking advantage of interaction with virtual pets. Our user studies indicate that such a game like Hey There promotes socialization with strangers and uncovers serendipitous aspects of life, thus enhancing players’ overall life satisfaction. This research contributes to introducing a new approach to social gaming in AR HMDs and provides valuable insights into the design and development of AR social games.