Multiplayer Game Input Feedback for Network Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplayer games face challenges in improving user bodily sensation due to communication delays, particularly in ball sport games where actions are delayed to address network latency.
Innovation Solution
The game system includes a configuration where a vibration device in the operation device is activated based on operation input, independent of communication delays, and synchronized with in-game actions, optionally accompanied by sound effects, to provide immediate feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication delay measures are implemented (delaying player character actions to synchronize network transmission), then network synchronization is improved, but user bodily sensation deteriorates due to perceived reaction delay
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device is activated in advance before the player character's action is visually displayed, providing tactile feedback that precedes the visual confirmation. This preliminary tactile response compensates for the perceived delay caused by network synchronization requirements, making the interaction feel more immediate and responsive to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements immediate tactile feedback through the vibration device upon detecting the player's input operation, without waiting for network confirmation. This feedback mechanism provides real-time acknowledgment of the user's action, improving bodily sensation while the actual game state updates occur with proper network delay compensation.
2Reliability
If action start timing is delayed to account for communication latency, then communication reliability is improved, but response speed perceived by user deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration feedback is triggered immediately upon detecting the player's input operation, before the player character's action is executed after network delay. This preliminary tactile response maintains perceived response speed while allowing the actual game action to occur at the properly delayed timing for communication reliability.
3Reliability
If punching action duration is shortened to compensate for communication delay, then synchronization is improved, but user satisfaction deteriorates due to reduced feedback quality
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device activates at the start of the punching action before the visual feedback is fully rendered, providing immediate tactile confirmation. This preliminary vibration enhances user satisfaction by providing quality feedback without requiring the entire action duration to be extended, maintaining synchronization while improving user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer of an information processing apparatus is caused to execute, in a virtual space, a multiplayer game in which a player character is controlled based on an operation input to an operation device, and an opponent character is controlled based on data acquired through communication with another information processing apparatus. In the multiplayer game, the computer is caused to specify a delay time of the communication, and when a first determination condition based on the operation input has been satisfied, is caused to output a signal for vibrating a vibration device included in the operation device, regardless of the delay time, and cause the player character to start a first action when a period according to a length of the delay time has elapsed.