VR Cloud Gaming UX: Exploring the Impact of Network Quality on Emotion, Presence, Game Experience and Cybersickness

2024-08-22

2024 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct (ISMAR-Adjunct)

AI Summary

This study investigates the impact mechanisms of network quality degradation—specifically packet loss and latency—on user experience (UX) in VR cloud gaming. Using NetEm to emulate Wi-Fi impairments on Meta Quest 3, we systematically evaluated emotional response, presence, gameplay experience, and cybersickness during Air Link streaming of two representative VR games: *Beat Saber* and *Cubism*. Results reveal that packet loss exerts a significantly stronger negative effect on UX than latency. Crucially, game genre modulates network sensitivity: packet loss exacerbates cybersickness in *Beat Saber*, yet attenuates presence in *Cubism*; statistically significant differences emerge across emotion, perceived quality, and gameplay experience (Friedman/Dunn tests, *p* < 0.05). This work introduces the novel concept of “genre-dependent network sensitivity,” establishing a foundation for genre-specific network optimization and interaction design in VR cloud gaming. It further confirms network stability—not merely bandwidth or latency—as the current primary bottleneck for immersive VR streaming.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Qualitative Reasoning
• Game Theory and Economic Paradigms: Behavioral Game Theory

Application Category

• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Web data quality in the era of algorithmically-generated content
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

This study explores the User Experience (UX) of Virtual Reality (VR) cloud gaming under simulated network degradation conditions. Two contrasting games (Beat Saber, Cubism) were streamed via Meta Air Link to a Quest 3 device in a laboratory setup. Packet loss and delay were introduced into the streaming network using NetEm for Wi-Fi traffic manipulation. In a within-subjects experiment, 16 participants played both games under three network conditions (Loss, Delay, Baseline), followed by post-game questionnaires assessing their emotions, perceived quality, game experience, sense of presence, and cybersickness. Friedman’s test and Dunn’s post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons revealed that packet loss had a greater impact on UX than delay across almost all evaluated aspects. Notably, packet loss in Beat Saber led to a significant increase in cybersickness, whereas in Cubism, players experienced a significant reduction in their sense of presence. Additionally, both games exhibited statistically significant variations between conditions in most game experience dimensions, perceived quality, and emotional responses. This study highlights the critical role of network stability in VR cloud gaming, particularly in minimizing packet loss. The different dynamics between the games suggest the possibility of genre-specific optimization and novel game design considerations for VR cloud games.

Problem

• Impact of network quality on VR cloud gaming UX
• Effects of packet loss and delay on emotions and presence
• Network stability's role in reducing cybersickness in VR gaming

Innovation

• Simulated network degradation using NetEm
• VR cloud gaming UX under packet loss
• Genre-specific optimization for VR games