Why do some gamers invert their controls?
13 hours ago
- #neuroscience
- #human-computer-interaction
- #gaming
- The article explores why some gamers invert their controls, a topic that unexpectedly gained widespread interest.
- Researchers Dr. Jennifer Corbett and Dr. Jaap Munneke studied the neuroscience behind controller inversion, using remote experiments during the Covid lockdown.
- Participants included gamers and professionals like pilots and surgeons, revealing diverse reasons for control preferences.
- Cognitive tests showed that mental rotation speed and overcoming the Simon effect were key predictors of inversion preference, not personal history.
- Gamers' control preferences are often shaped by early exposure, but cognitive abilities play a larger role than previously thought.
- The study suggests trying the opposite control scheme could improve gaming performance, similar to left-handed individuals adapting to right-handed writing.
- Findings have broader implications for human-computer interfaces, including AI collaboration and surgical devices.
- The research, now published, has been cited and sparked media interest, challenging gamers to reconsider their control schemes.