Gaming with gaze and losing with a smile

Abstract

This paper presents an experiment comparing performance and user experience of gaze and mouse interaction in a minimalistic 3D flying game that only required steering. Mouse interaction provided better performance and participants considered it less physical and mental demanding, less frustrating and less difficult to maneuver. Gaze interaction, however, yielded higher levels of entertainment and engagement. The paper suggests that gaze steering provides a high kinesthetic pleasure both because it is difficult to master and because it presents a unique mapping between fixation and locomotion.