Visual Computer Game Features for Teaching Relativity

In this paper we describe incorporating Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity into an interactive computer game intended for learning and teaching purposes in Australian senior high school and tertiary education. The game, which is based on Asteroids, embeds either a classical or relativistic model of physics in the game environment such that players interact directly with the physics in the course of playing, and can observe and contrast their behaviour. The emphasis is on conceptual portrayal with 2D graphics, rather than immersive and realistic 3D visualisation. The key relativistic concepts of length contraction, time dilation, and mass dilation are each represented, as well as Doppler shifting of colour. We discuss design considerations and graphical devices for portraying these effects in the game, along with results and responses from user experiments.