Overview
This research examined the elements that contribute to the enjoyability of watching others perform complex action sequences, such as those found in sports. The study utilized procedurally generated video game stimuli to isolate specific factors influencing viewer enjoyment.
Research Context
Individuals frequently seek out and watch performances of complex action sequences. The motivation behind this research was to understand what differentiates enjoyable sequences from less enjoyable ones.
Approach
The study generated 24 distinct video clips derived from gameplay of a Flappy Bird-style video game. These clips were systematically varied along two dimensions: difficulty and moment-to-moment uncertainty. Difficulty was defined by how often players succeeded on average, while moment-to-moment uncertainty was determined by the likelihood of the player crashing at any given step.
A total of 864 participants were recruited for the study. Each participant was instructed to rate each video clip on one of three specific dimensions:
- How much they enjoyed the video.
- How difficult the level appeared to be.
- How dangerous the player's trajectory appeared.
This design allowed for the isolation of factors affecting the enjoyment of action sequences through the use of procedurally generated stimuli.
Findings
The research indicated that participants showed a preference for videos where the player appeared to be completing obstacle courses that were perceived as more difficult. This suggests a positive correlation between perceived difficulty and enjoyment ratings.
Conversely, the dangerousness of the player's trajectory did not emerge as a predictor of enjoyment ratings. This finding suggests that while difficulty is a factor, the perceived risk of failure, as measured by dangerousness, did not independently influence how enjoyable participants found the sequences to be.
Why This Matters
The findings demonstrate a method for delineating factors impacting the enjoyability of action sequences using procedurally generated content. This approach can help isolate specific elements influencing viewer engagement with performed actions.