Interactive Dome Experiences: Designing AstroSurf

Dome and display technology have evolved to the point that designing interactive dome experiences no longer requires expertise with dome technology. In particular, the DomeLab provides an interface for designers to work with popular game development technology, such as Unity. Without the technologic concerns of developing the domes themselves, research can shift focus towards designing games and novel experiences for them. This raises new questions: "what kind of interactive experiences can domes support?" and "how can these experiences be designed for?" Through the design and evaluation of AstroSurf, a game designed for the DomeLab, this paper contributes three themes: co-location in the dome context, interacting with dome interfaces, and designing for exhibition. These themes present an argument for designing 'enveloping experiences' for domes and identify domes as a unique immersive environment supporting drop-in play, converged multiplayer interactions around the pole, and blended physical-virtual play.