Measuring the impact of game controllers on player experience in FPS games

An increasing amount of games is released on multiple platforms, and game designers face the challenge of integrating different interaction paradigms for console and PC users while keeping the core mechanics of a game. However, little research has addressed the influence of game controls on player experience. In this paper, we examine the impact of mouse and keyboard versus gamepad control in first-person shooters using the PC and PlayStation 3 versions of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. We conducted a study with 45 participants to compare player experience and game usability issues of participants who had previously played similar games on one of the respective gaming systems, while also exploring the effects of players being forced to switch to an unfamiliar platform. The results show that players switching to a new platform experience more usability issues and consider themselves more challenged, but report an equally positive overall experience as players on their comfort platform. © 2011 ACM

Perturbative regimes in central spin models

Central spin models describe several types of solid state nanostructures which are presently considered as possible building blocks of future quantum information processing hardware. From a theoretical point of view, a key issue remains the treatment of the flip-flop terms in the Hamiltonian in the presence of a magnetic field. We systematically study the influence of these terms, both as a function of the field strength and the size of the spin baths. We find crucial differences between initial states with central spin configurations of high and such of low polarizations. This has strong implications with respect to the influence of a magnetic field on the flip-flop terms in central spin models of a single and more than one central spin. Furthermore, the dependencies on bath size and field differ from those anticipated so far. Our results might open the route for the systematic search for more efficient perturbative treatments of central spin problems.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Hyperfine induced spin and entanglement dynamics in Double Quantum Dots: A homogeneous coupling approach

We investigate hyperfine induced electron spin and entanglement dynamics in a system of two quantum dot spin qubits. We focus on the situation of zero external magnetic field and concentrate on approximation-free theoretical methods. We give an exact solution of the model for homogeneous hyperfine coupling constants (with all coupling coefficients being equal) and varying exchange coupling, and we derive the dynamics therefrom. After describing and explaining the basic dynamical properties, the decoherence time is calculated from the results of a detailed investigation of the short time electron spin dynamics. The result turns out to be in good agreement with experimental data.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Magnetic field induced effects in the high source-drain bias current of weakly coupled vertical quantum dot molecules

We report on the basic properties of recently observed magnetic field resonance, induced time dependent oscillation, and hysteresis effects in the current flowing through two weakly coupled vertical quantum dots at high source-drain bias (up to a few tens of mV). These effects bare some similarity to those reported in the N=2 spin-blockade regime, usually for weak in-plane magnetic field, of quantum dot molecules and attributed to hyperfine coupling, except here the measurements are conducted outside of the spin-blockade regime and the out-of-plane magnetic field is up to ~6 T.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Physica E in EP2DS 17 conference proceeding

Polarization Suppression and Nonmonotonic Local Two-Body Correlations in the Two-Component Bose Gas in One Dimension

We study the interplay of quantum statistics, strong interactions and finite temperatures in the two-component (spinor) Bose gas with repulsive delta-function interactions in one dimension. Using the Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz, we obtain the equation of state, population densities and local density correlation numerically as a function of all physical parameters (interaction, temperature and chemical potentials), quantifying the full crossover between low-temperature ferromagnetic and high-temperature unpolarized regimes. In contrast to the single-component, Lieb-Liniger gas, nonmonotonic behaviour of the local density correlation as a function of temperature is observed.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Running Away to Neverland: The Fear of Adulthood in John Green’s Paper Towns and J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan

In examining John Green’s young adult novel, Paper Towns, and J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, a theme of fear towards adulthood and social obligation is explored in the characters, Margo Spiegelman and Peter Pan. This fear causes them both to run away to their own Neverland. In doing so, both characters are hindered from truly growing, as they settle into a frivolous and forgetful lifestyle. Using critics, such as Michael Egan, Sarah Gilead, and Karen Coats, I will examine Peter Pan as the immortal child, having taken on the identity of death and time, as well as Neverland as the place that kills memory. Also, using Bruno Bettelheim’s fairy tale journey, I will look at the transition into adulthood that Quintin Jacobsen and Wendy Darling endure, as they literally journey outside the window on a tempting and thrilling adventure away from the norm. When Quintin and Wendy choose to return home to take their place in society, accepting adulthood, they choose to live with purpose, opposed to Margo and Peter, who will continue to run away from fate, as the paper girl and the immortal boy