Effects of Local Latency on Game Pointing Devices and Game Pointing Tasks

doi:10.1145/3290605.3300438

Paper

Effects of Local Latency on Game Pointing Devices and Game Pointing Tasks

Published May 2, 2019 · Michael Long, C. Gutwin

Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

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Full text

Abstract

Studies have shown certain game tasks such as targeting to be negatively and significantly affected by latencies as low as 41ms. Therefore it is important to understand the relationship between local latency - delays between an input action and resulting change in the display - and common gaming tasks such as targeting and tracking. In addition, games now use a variety of input devices, including touchscreens, mice, tablets and controllers. These devices provide very different combinations of direct/indirect input, absolute/relative movement, and position/rate control, and are likely to be affected by latency in different ways. We performed a study evaluating and comparing the effects of latency across four devices (touchscreen, mouse, controller and drawing tablet) on targeting and interception tasks. We analyze both throughput and path characteristics, identify differences between devices, and provide design considerations for game designers.

Study Snapshot

Local latency negatively affects game tasks like targeting and tracking, with touchscreens, mice, controllers, and drawing tablets showing different effects on targeting and interception tasks.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Effects of Local Latency on Game Pointing Devices and Game Pointing Tasks

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