| Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the runners and where were they running?
Matt, Nick, Paul and Sheila were running around
the Kop Van Zuid in Rotterdam. The features of
the virtual world for online players really exist
except Montevideo and Koolhaas: these are two
buildings planned to be built.
How did the runners know where players were in
the virtual world?
The runners carried a handheld computer connected
to a Global Positioning System receiver. The handheld
computer was connected to a wireless network.
This meant that wherever the runners went on the
Kop Van Zuid they were connected to each other
and to the virtual world. All the positions of
the players could then be shown on their screen.
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System was developed by
the United States military. It uses 24 satellites
to provide an estimate of your location and works
on most parts of the earth’s surface. The
satellites beam radio signals to earth and if
a GPS receiver can see enough satellites then
it can produce a fix on your position.
What is DGPS?
Partly because the most accurate GPS data is restricted
by the US military, other systems have been developed
to provide a greater level of precision. One is
Differential GPS. Because Rotterdam is one of
the world’s busiest ports it has a DGPS beacon.
This is fixed at a very precise location on the
ground. As well as looking upwards to the satellites,
we received a radio signal from that beacon. By
combining these two sets of data the runners could
be located to as accurately as 1 metre.
What could online players hear?
The interface included a live transmission of
everything that is said between the runners on
their walkie talkies.
What happened when the runner caught up with
an online player?
If a runner got within 5m of a player then they
were “seen”. Their game was over. The
runner announced that they’d seen the player
and took a photo of the spot where the player
was seen.
How many people could play at a time?
Up to 20 but we may have to restrict it to 10
or less at times to ensure that the game runs
smoothly.
How big was the game area?
600m by 150m.
I’m a shameless nerd and would love to
know the exact specification of every piece of
hardware you’re using, including the price
you paid for it. Can you help?
Nope.
Have you done this before?
The first version of Can You See Me Now? was shown
in Sheffield in the UK in December 2001 and was
nominated for an Interactive Arts BAFTA. It was
commissioned by the BBC, the Arts Council of England
and btv. It is archived at www.canyouseemenow.co.uk
Will you be doing this in other cities?
There are plans to do Can You See Me Now? in Germany
this summer. Blast Theory and MRL are collaborating
on Uncle Roy All Around You which will be presented
online and at the ICA in London in May. We are
also creating a piece using 3G phones in Adelaide
in February 2004.
How do I join your mailing list?
Register here to receive
updates when the next event goes online.
Who are Blast
Theory?
Who are the Mixed
Reality Lab?
What is V2?
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