Overall my experience was interesting with ARIS to say the least. It was unfortunate that I encountered several issues with the software which included loss of service in certain areas which resulted in loss of the navigation feature and well as the GPS not being accurate in respect to finding your location. I also experienced ARIS using barcodes, to see how someone who was not in Madison would view the application. To compare the two the experience was similar except when I actually went on the quest I was in the actual physical space the application was describing. It seems that being in the physical space along with the ARIS application on my iPhone would enhance my experience, but for the most part I did not find one to be better than the other.
Ways in which the developers could modify ARIS would be to ensure there is service in the areas that they would like you to travel otherwise the GPS locator will not work. Another suggestion would be to make it that instead of there being one exact coordinate which moves you onto the next part of the quest have several coordinates in the vicinity of the location they want you to be so one doesn't have to walk back and forth several times to activate the next part of the quest. For the simulation that one can complete at home with the barcodes I would make it so they are able to see where they should be traveling so it makes them feel more as if they are in the space. I would also not limit the games to the Madison area I would definitely expand it to other areas of the country.
As for ARIS being a game, I do not necessarily consider it to be a game but rather an educational tool which has been gamified. I think it would be very beneficial if implemented into more educational arenas. It would be very interesting to see ARIS used for campus tours using iPads or to include it in an orientation at college. It uses in the educational would be fascinating and can do great things to incorporate technology and education. However, ARIS as a "game" is not something I really see the future in.
I think ARIS is a very interesting concept. Since it is not too widespread or popular, I can understand why there may be network limitations. I guess it should be classified as a game though. Like other games, you have certain tasks to complete and you get rewarded for completion of those tasks. Just because it is educational, doesn't mean it isn't a game. Some people view learning things as entertaining (that does not apply to me, however). It seems like ARIS is in early stages of its development; I can see it growing and becoming more appealing to a larger audience in the future.
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