Jess Bossmann and I did this online assignment together. The website describes ARIS as "a user-friendly, open-source platform for creating and playing mobile games, tours and interactive stories." it uses GPS and QR codes so players can experience a hybrid world of virtual interactive characters, items, and media placed in physical space."

We chose the UW Campus Tour. It directed us to find different locations across campus. We started at Memorial Union. The device had a GPS and knew when we had reached our clue's destination. When we arrived at each location they gave us fun facts about each building. For example, South Hall was the second building created on campus and only cost $20,000 to first build. While Lanthrop Hall was named the first professor of UW-Madison who taught the first lecture of 20 young male students. Kiki's app did not pick up the GPS signals, so we had to rely solely on Jess's phone, which ended up running out of battery after our 40 minute quest in 12 degree weather. With windchill, it really felt like 0. Our journey ended at Van Hise, on our way to the Bell Tower by Ingraham Hall. Our quest was to find the voice who was giving us clues, which we assume was Abraham Lincoln. However, because our game ended early, due to Jess's phone running out of battery, we are unsure with the ending of the game.

We both did not like this assignment at all. We thought about the possible benefits of this app. It could be a helpful and fun way for prospective students to learn about the campus while also getting a tour. However, as college students who attend this school and already know our way around campus, we did not see any personal benefits from playing this game. It was not a fun experience for us. We were cold and had to walk a lot. It led to frustration when our GPS was having trouble finding the location, and the app is difficult to maneuver through. We are curious to see what games the other students tried, and if they had a better experience with it.