Southbank's Queensbridge Square has been transformed into an outdoor virtual arcade, as part of a City of Melbourne initiative to bring fun, inclusive experiences to the CBD.
The Open Arcade pilot uses digital sensing technology, allowing players to use their bodies to control the game in real time on the big screen.
The free pop-up features four digital games which can be enjoyed by up to 12 players at a time, and is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Council has partnered with SAGE Group and Swinburne University to develop the digital games, as part of the Reimagining the City Challenge.
The Open Arcade is open seven days a week from 7am to 8pm, until 3 March.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
"We're taking gaming outdoors this summer with our Open Arcade - a unique new experience, allowing people to step into a virtual world on the streets of our CBD.
"During a soft launch in December, players enjoyed more than 100 games a day, and we expect thousands more will check it out over the next six weeks.
"The pop-up attraction is free, family-friendly and safe to enjoy in the open-air, making it the perfect addition to a fun-filled day out in the city."
Quotes attributable to Education and Innovation portfolio lead Councillor Davyyd Griffiths
"We hope this futuristic urban experience will build community connection, as groups of friends, family and passersby work together to master our interactive games.
"Players can use their bodies to create unique virtual art, guide an animated icon through a digital realm and master our fun quiz game, as we bring gaming to the streets of the CBD."
Quotes attributable to SAGE Automation Smart Cities Technical Lead Ashby Martin
"We've thought deeply about the ways we can make the Open Arcade as fun, engaging and accessible as possible - we kept asking ourselves what our families would enjoy playing and pushed the limits of what we could do with the technology."
Quotes attributable to Swinburne University Centre for Design Innovation Director Prof. Jeni Paay
"Our final year Bachelor of Design students were given the opportunity to collaborate with the developers of the Open Arcade pilot to explore design alternatives and aspects of open-air gaming to inspire and inform the development of the final game.
"This gave the students industry experience, on a real-world project, where they get to see the results in the city."
