Personalized Dynamic Modelling of Spatiotemporal Aiming Ability for Systematic Player Balancing
Loading...
Authors
Schneider, Adrian
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
player balancing , accessibility , aim assistance , dynamic difficulty adjustment
Alternative Title
Abstract
Players of digital games typically differ in their success in game tasks such as aiming. It is important for games to provide techniques allowing people with different abilities to play together. One approach to accommodating such differences is player balancing: adjusting gameplay to reduce the difficulty of a game for players with lower ability.
This thesis presents the Dynamic Spatiotemporal Model, a mathematical model that characterizes the aiming ability of individuals. This model is designed to calculate how, and how much, to alter aiming difficulty in order to perform personalized player balancing; that is, to provide more assistance to players with lower ability. This model is able to accurately and rapidly characterize player aiming in real time. The model is also able to account for both spatial aiming—aiming at the right place—and temporal aiming—clicking at the right time.
The research reported in this thesis includes three studies investigating player balancing with aim assistance. These studies demonstrate the distinction between spatial and temporal aiming, and the importance of accounting for both in aim assistance. These studies also show the need for personalized aim assistance algorithms in three studies with three different populations: players with cerebral palsy, players with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and players in the general population.
Existing player balancing literature has produced a wealth of approaches to balancing players with differing abilities. However, the aim balancing literature tends to prioritize algorithms to help players with spatial aiming, and rarely addresses temporal aiming. Additionally, there is a lack of methods for calculating how much assistance to provide to a player, based on their measured level of aiming ability. To our knowledge, our Dynamic Spatiotemporal Model is the first to address both these needs.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.