Backseat gaming is a mobile augmented reality game that makes use of changing scenery and sense of motion during travelling. The real world passing by the vehicle acts as the world where the game takes place and the game content has clear connections to the roadside objects seen outside the window of the vehicle.

View video clip from user test
The game consists of a framing story and a set of game locations where local stories are told and gaming manipulation can be pursued. The Framing story is told when the game starts to provide the player with an understanding of the goals of the game. Game locations are closely connected to specific roadside objects. When the car approaches a game location it will first trigger a local story. The story functions as a warning of an approaching game situation and also provides instructions about the upcoming manipulative event, which is important since the player is being present at the game location for a very short time.
Manipulation can be pursued when the player comes even closer to the game-location. The device automatically changes to windscreen-mode. The player can now catch attacking creatures and pick up virtual objects that exist in the vicinity of the specific roadside-object.
The game is implemented on a Pocket PC. The Pocket PC is equipped with a GPS card to receive the position of the player and also a digital compass in the purpose of receiving the players aiming direction during the game-play.
A central design challenge is to understand the characteristics of the linkage between roadside objects and the game in order to create a good user experience. The users must be able to interpret the objects correctly, enjoy the exploration of the game space, and manipulate the relation in a compelling manner. User feedback indicates the idea of the roadside as being a fascinating game world to explore.