Effects of display technique, background complexity, and target size on visual performance evaluation–A case study using the “Spot The Difference” game

The study explores the effects of display technique, target size, and complexity of the background on searching accuracy, eye tracking performance, visual fatigue, and presence. Twenty-five participants were recruited in the experiment, where two types of display technique (2D, 3D), two types of background complexity (low, high), and two types of target size (200 × 200 pixels, 60 × 60 pixels) were examined on accuracy, fixation time, numbers of fixations, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), and iGroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ). The results indicated that display technique was significant on accuracy, fixation time, number of fixations, and SSQ. Though having inferior performance in accuracy and SSQ than 2D, 3D demonstrated better performance in the number of fixations and fixation time. Background complexity was significant on accuracy and IPQ, while low complexity has a better performance than that in accuracy and IPQ. Target size was significant in accuracy, where the accuracy of 200 × 200 pixels was better than that of 60 × 60 pixels. From the analysis of area of interest (AOI), participants tended to fix on revised pictures as compared with original pictures. The results of this study could serve as a reference for game manufacturers to design a 3D “Spot The Difference” game in the future.