Gameplay evaluation of the trackball controller

Natapov, Daniel; MacKenzie, I. Scott

doi:10.1145/1920778.1920802

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…In our study, no significant differences were found between mouse and touchscreen in the three pointing and dragging tasks. We found that touchscreen was slightly faster than mouse for pointing tasks but slower for dragging‐and‐dropping tasks, in consistent with previous studies (Chen & Or, 2017; Forlines et al, 2007; MacKenzie et al, 1991, 2001; Natapov et al, 2009). One possible reason could be that touchscreen enables operators to point the screen directly, a way matching with the naturalness of selecting and clicking with the fingers (Forlines et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Input devices are essential computer accessories for fundamental operations (e.g., pointing and dragging) in human–computer interaction (HCI), especially with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) (Cassidy et al, 2019; Cockburn et al, 2012). While previous studies have compared several traditionally used input devices (e.g., mouse, touchscreen, and trackball) in pointing tasks (Chen & Or, 2017; Hertzum & Hornbæk, 2010; Natapov et al, 2009) and dragging tasks (Cassidy et al, 2019; Chen & Or, 2017; Cockburn et al, 2012; Wood et al, 2005), it remains unclear about the performance of some newly developed input devices operated by gestures (e.g., remote hand‐controller) (Jones et al, 2019). As compared with traditional ones, it could be fundamentally different to use these new input devices as no physical contract is required when using gestures to interact with GUIs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of vibration and target size on the use of varied computer input devices in basic human‐computer interaction tasks

Wang

Tao

Cai

et al. 2021

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

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Pointing and dragging are fundamental actions by input devices when interacting with computer graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Cockpits on modern vehicles have been increasingly equipped with GUIs, enabling pointing and dragging tasks to be frequently performed under vibration conditions. However, factors influencing these fundamental actions under vibration conditions have not been fully explored. This study aimed to explore the effects of vibration, input devices, and target size on the performance and perceived workload in basic human–computer interaction tasks. Twenty‐seven participants completed an experiment where they were required to conduct two pointing tasks and one dragging‐and‐dropping task using four input devices (mouse, touchscreen, trackball, and remote hand‐controller) under static and three vibration conditions (lateral, fore‐and‐aft, and omnidirectional vibration) with two target sizes (small and large). The results indicated that vibration caused longer task completion time, higher error rates, and more workload in completing pointing and dragging tasks. Both target size and input device affected task performance in vibration environments. Highest workload was perceived when using remote hand‐controller, followed by trackballs under all vibration conditions; there was no significant difference between mouse and touchscreen, except in terms of physical demand. The findings suggest that practitioners should fully consider the joint effects of input device, target size, and vibration to counteract adverse influence of vibration and optimize user interface designs of human‐computer systems in vibration environments.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of vibration and target size on the use of varied computer input devices in basic human‐computer interaction tasks

Wang

Tao

Cai

et al. 2021

Hum Ftrs & Erg Mfg Svc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Utility ratings. A subjective evaluation of the controller in accordance with ISO-9241 on device comfort was assessed via a questionnaire of 8 items answered on a 5-points Likert scale, adapted from [22]. For the items smoothness during operation, general comfort and overall useability, higher scores indicate better fitness.…”

Section: Task Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open design of a reproducible videogame controller for MRI and MEG

Harel,

Cyr,

Boyle

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Videogames are emerging as a promising experimental paradigm in neuroimaging. Acquiring gameplay in a scanner remains challenging due to the lack of a scanner-compatible videogame controller that provides a similar experience to standard, commercial devices. In this paper, we introduce a videogame controller designed for use in the functional magnetic resonance imaging as well as magnetoencephalography. The controller is made exclusively of 3D-printed and commercially available parts. We evaluated the quality of our controller by comparing it to a non-MRI compatible controller that was kept outside the scanner. The comparison of response latencies showed reliable button press accuracies of adequate precision. Comparison of the subjects’ motion during fMRI recordings of various tasks showed that the use of our controller did not increase the amount of motion produced compared to a regular MR compatible button press box. Motion levels during an ecological videogame task were of moderate amplitude. In addition, we found that the controller only had marginal effect on temporal SNR in fMRI, as well as on covariance between sensors in MEG, as expected due to the use of non-magnetic building materials. Finally, the reproducibility of the controller was demonstrated by having team members who were not involved in the design build a reproduction using only the documentation. This new videogame controller opens new avenues for ecological tasks in fMRI, including challenging videogames and more generally tasks with complex responses. The detailed controller documentation and build instructions are released under an Open Source Hardware license to increase accessibility, and reproducibility and enable the neuroimaging research community to improve or modify the controller for future experiments.

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“…Commercial video games use aiming assistance mainly on console systems; PC-based games generally do not employ aiming assistance because mice are more precise than the game controllers used in consoles [20]. Despite their use in games, aiming assistance for multiplayer game balancing is not a central component of commercial games.…”

Section: Aim Assistance Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Now You Can Compete With Anyone

Vicencio-Moreira

Mandryk

Gutwin

2015

Proceedings of the 33rd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

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When player skill levels differ widely in a competitive First-Person Shooter (FPS) game, enjoyment suffers: weaker players become frustrated and stronger players become less engaged. Player balancing techniques attempt to assist the weaker player and make games more competitive, but these techniques have limitations for deployment when skill levels vary substantially. We developed new player balancing schemes to deal with a range of FPS skill difference, and tested these techniques in one-on-one deathmatches using a commercial-quality FPS game developed with the UDK engine. Our results showed that the new balancing schemes are extremely effective at balancing, even for players with large skill differences. Surprisingly, the techniques that were most effective at balancing were also rated as most enjoyable by both players -even though these schemes were the most noticeable. Our study is the first to show that player balancing can work well in realistic FPS games, providing developers with a way to increase the audience for this popular genre. In addition, our results demonstrate the idea that successful balancing is as much about the way the technique is applied as it is about the specific manipulation.

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Gameplay evaluation of the trackball controller

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Effects of vibration and target size on the use of varied computer input devices in basic human‐computer interaction tasks

Effects of vibration and target size on the use of varied computer input devices in basic human‐computer interaction tasks

Open design of a reproducible videogame controller for MRI and MEG

Now You Can Compete With Anyone

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