Cognitive Load in Real-Time Strategy Gaming: Human Opponent Versus AI Opponent

Abstract

This paper examines the cognitive load in real-time strategy gaming subjects along with physiological and subjective measurements. The subjects were college students from a northeastern university in China. This paper is a study into players’ cognitive load measurement when playing against human opponents and game artificial intelligences (game AIs). Using eye trackers, action per minute recorders and questionnaires, we collected qualitative data from participants about their cognitive load through playing against human opponents and game AI opponents. The results indicate that players have more cognitive load when playing against human opponents than against game AI opponents. Secondly, as the players’ gaming skill increased, their cognitive load did not differ substantially when they switched from playing against human players to playing against game AI opponents. A deeper understanding of players’ cognitive load can enable a developer to design a more appropriate game experience.