THE IMPACT OF DYNAMIC GAME DIFFICULTY BALANCING ON PLAYER USER EXPERIENCE IN PUZZLE GAMES : A case study

Abstract: This study delves into the relationship between Dynamic Game Difficulty Balance and Game User Experience in the context of puzzle games. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of DGDB on user experience in puzzle games, focusing on player engagement, immersion, and the occurrence of a-ha moment. To this end, the researchers conducted a control group experiment and analyzed the results both quantitatively and qualitatively based on participants' objective data during the game and subjective responses in the post-game questionnaire. The findings suggest that DGDB has the potential to increase player engagement and satisfaction, but the impact is modest, as evidenced by higher completion rates and flow channels in puzzle games. We explored the impact of the DGDB system on a-ha moment and the results were mixed. However, it is clear that the relationship between DGDB and puzzles is a delicate one, with players' preferences and perceptions varying.