Design of false heart rate feedback system for improving game experience

When players are excited by playing a video game, corresponding physiological responses such as sweating or changes in heart rate may appear. It is assumed that presenting physiological responses during game play to players in real-time alters their game experience even when they play the same game. Based on this assumption, this work investigated the effect of false heart rate (HR) feedback on game experience through experiments using a simple action game. Our experimental results indicated that false HR feedback not only prevented the players from becoming tired of the game but also enhanced players' experiences. In addition, a new game controller that can present HR information audibly and tactually was developed for realizing a game system based on false HR feedback.