How Camera Placement Affects Gameplay in Video Games

TL;DR

This study investigates how camera placement influences player preferences and gameplay experience in a custom-designed video game, revealing that players adapt camera choices based on spatial and challenge-specific needs.

Contribution

It introduces a method to analyze camera preferences in gameplay, demonstrating how players select different camera models depending on game context and challenges.

Findings

Players adapt camera choices based on spatial requirements.

Camera preferences vary with game challenges.

Players select suitable cameras for different game scenarios.

Abstract

In video games, players' perception of the game world and related information depends on their or the game designer's choice of a virtual camera model. In this paper, we attempt to answer the research question of whether it is possible to identify which camera model is preferred by, fits and best serves each player depending on where they are in a game world and the kinds of challenges they face. To this end, a special type of video game, combining challenges from different game genres, was designed and developed with Unity; thirty players could choose from four camera models at their disposal, depending on where they were in the game world, and utilize the most suitable one to proceed. Each player's preference of camera model was collected using the data platform Unity Analytics and then analyzed. The analysis of the results showed that players managed to adapt to the logic and requirements of the game challenges by choosing different cameras for each of them, depending on the spatial requirements and the presence of enemies or platforms they should jump across from.