Predatory team games, such as dodgeball, have been played for centuries. This paper investigates what happens when such a game is augmented with motion sensitive lighting wearables and played in a dark environment. Looking at earlier adaptations of games as well as at the capabilities of the human body and the dynamics of predatory games we developed a new game, ‘Sneaky Were-Bees’, to explore the possible effects of a motion sensitive lighting wearable on the dynamics in a predatory team game. Through continuous playtesting the rules for the game, and functionality of the wearables were iteratively developed. In playtesting many interesting dynamics emerged in relation to how players attempted to identify and communicate with team members. Moreover, an in the dark predatory game seems to be much less dependent on physical prowess and more strategy based than un-augmented, traditional dodgeball. Altering a game this way sheds a new light on team dynamics and the ways a game such as dodgeball is played. These explorations are hoped to contribute to other attempts to understand the potential of adding digital technology to physical games and increasing the physicality of immersive digital experiencers.
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