Analyzing the Effects of Time Warp Latency Compensation and the “Shot-Around-the-Corner” Problem on a First-Person Shooter Game

Nguyen, Pari; Gregg, Miles; Hsu, Jonathan; Faria, Mattheus

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Analyzing the Effects of Time Warp Latency Compensation and the “Shot-Around-the-Corner” Problem on a First-Person Shooter Game

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When playing multiplayer First-Person Shooter (FPS) games, players often encounter latency that can degrade the gaming experience. Game developers typically implement latency compensation techniques such as Time Warp so players can do some actions as if there was no latency at all. However, there have been few attempts to quantify the effect that these latency compensation techniques have on player performance and experience. Our project explores how players are impacted by Time Warp, specifically the accuracy impact and the shot-around-the-corner problem. We have human users play multiple rounds of an FPS test environment against a custom bot at varying latencies with Time Warp alternating between on and off. Based upon the study results, Time Warp increases the prevalence of shots-around-the-corner as the latency between the shooter and server increases. When told the network conditions, human players report an improved quality of experience when Time Warp is on, and an increased sense of “fairness.” Accuracy decreases as latency increases, with Time Warp having minimal effect on accuracy regardless of if it is on or off.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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