Effects of Gameplay Dynamics on Visual Attention

This study aimed to explore the effects of gameplay dynamics on players’ visual attention. We examined gameplay dynamics related to the game system, player, and context, which have the potential to influence visual attention. We divided the game interface into four areas of interest, namely avatar, obstacles, game score, and text explaining the game. We investigated how data from four designated areas of interest varied for different eye-gaze measures, including the total duration of fixations, the time to first fixation, and the number of fixations. Data were collected from 32 participants through the Tobii Pro Fusion eye tracker and questionnaires. Overall, the total fixation duration was highest for obstacles, followed by avatar, game score, and text area. This was similar to the time to first fixation metric, as the participants predominantly directed their attention to game elements in the same order. Gamers and high-in-game performers developed covert attention that was skewed and transitional, expanding from the avatar to the obstacles. In contrast, non-gamers, low-in-game performers, and participants with low-in-game experience focused their visual attention mostly on the game score and text area.