Title: Engaging remote fans in live sports

Authors: Pedro Centieiro; Teresa Romão; A. Eduardo Dias

Addresses: NOVA-LINCS, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal; Viva Superstars Digital Media Lda, Madan Parque, Rua dos Inventores, Caparica, Portugal ' NOVA-LINCS, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal ' NOVA-LINCS, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal; Viva Superstars Digital Media Lda, Madan Parque, Rua dos Inventores, Caparica, Portugal

Abstract: While watching live sports broadcasts we do not feel so emotionally connected with the performers and the in-venue fans, as we do when watching it live where the event takes place. Moreover, our remote actions are not reflected in the live event, so the objective of supporting our team is never really accomplished. By introducing a new interaction paradigm, which stimulates remote fans to participate in the actions happening in the stadium, it is possible to provide users with entertainment and to bring the venue atmosphere and its emotional level to remote users. This paper presents the concepts and prototypes that have been designed to engage remote fans in broadcasted sports, and to make fans, both at the venue and worldwide, feel part of the same community. These prototypes are multiplayer mobile games, which allow remote fans to interact and mimic common actions usually performed by supporters attending sports events.

Keywords: multiplayer mobile games; second screen; live sports broadcasts; remote users; applauding; betting; fan engagement; emotional connection; interaction; fan participation; venue atmosphere; remote fans; user engagement; user participation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2015.073580

International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2015 Vol.8 No.4, pp.325 - 345

Published online: 13 Dec 2015 *

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