Beyond Augmented Reality, Towards Augmented Physicality: Gaming with Tangible Embodied Interactions

As Augmented Reality (AR) continues to advance and permeate everyday life, the importance of designing effective and engaging AR experiences is increasingly important. This study explores the augmentation of everyday objects as embodied interfaces in a tower defense game played using the Meta Quest 3. We compared player experiences using hand gestures in AR, with playing using a Tangible Embodied Interface (TEI). A 3D-printed cube with magnetically attached codes was created to prototype the combined AR/tangible interaction modality. Ten participants played both versions of the AR game and then took part in an interview. We found that the use of tangible objects significantly enhanced players' sense of control, engagement, and overall experience. Participants reported that the use of tangible interfaces in AR facilitated more intuitive and natural interactions which resulted in increased immersion and enjoyment. These findings contribute to the understanding of tangible AR interactions and potential implications for game design.