pixelLOG: Logging of Online Gameplay for Cognitive Research

TL;DR

pixelLOG is a high-performance framework for logging human gameplay data in Minecraft, enabling detailed cognitive research in naturalistic, multi-agent virtual environments with high temporal resolution.

Contribution

It introduces pixelLOG, a novel, flexible data collection system that captures detailed human behavioral data in multiplayer Minecraft settings for cognitive research.

Findings

Supports up to 20 updates per second for detailed data capture

Enables integration with standard analytical tools via structured JSON output

Bridges laboratory assessments and real-world ecological validity

Abstract

Traditional cognitive assessments often rely on isolated, output-focused measurements that may fail to capture the complexity of human cognition in naturalistic settings. We present pixelLOG, a high-performance data collection framework for Spigot-based Minecraft servers designed specifically for process-based cognitive research. Unlike existing frameworks tailored only for artificial intelligence agents, pixelLOG also enables human behavioral tracking in multi-player/multi-agent environments. Operating at configurable frequencies up to and exceeding 20 updates per second, the system captures comprehensive behavioral data through a hybrid approach of active state polling and passive event monitoring. By leveraging Spigot's extensible API, pixelLOG facilitates robust session isolation and produces structured JSON outputs integrable with standard analytical pipelines. This framework bridges the gap between decontextualized laboratory assessments and richer, more ecologically valid tasks, enabling high-resolution analysis of cognitive processes as they unfold in complex, virtual environments.