Context – Collaborative computer games have evolved from single-player to massively multiplayer awareness-demanding games, usually involving collaboration to achieve team goals. As a consequence of such evolution, the players of these games should be provided with awareness information that make them able to perform collaborative tasks within their teams.

Objective– The objective of this work is the analysis of the current awareness interpretations in order to develop development of an awareness interpretation gathering the awareness needs of such games. In addition, the developed interpretation must be integrated into a game development process.

Method – This analysis has been carried out by means of a step-by-step Thematic Synthesis of current interpretations which led us to obtain the most relevant awareness elements present in current interpretation. Moreover, the developed awareness interpretation was empirically evaluated by means of several surveys aimed at assess whether the implementation of the interpretation’s elements on a game would improve the players enjoyment.

Results– The Thematic Synthesis analysis concluded that none of the current awareness interpretations can deal properly with collaborative computer games, specifically due to the collaboration and social & group dynamics. However, this Thematic Synthesis led us to coin Gamespace Awareness, a new awareness interpretation based on a unification of the previously analyzed awareness interpretations which is suitable for collaborative computer games. Furthermore, the interpretation was positively evaluated for two games, namely a first person shooter and real-time strategy game.

Conclusions– Gamespace Awareness gathers all the awareness elements that a collaborative computer game could have, making it possible to identify the awareness requirements of such games right from the very beginning.