Abstract

Cloud gaming systems need low latency and jitter to provide a favorable gaming experience, but how much each matter is not well known. We investigated how network latency and jitter affect player performance and experience. We modified a Unity FPS game to simulate different amounts of latency and jitter. Twenty-five participants completed randomized experimental rounds across five latency tiers (0-100 ms) and five interruption tiers (0-120 ms) in various combinations. Objective performance metrics, including kill count and accuracy, were automatically recorded during gameplay. Following each round, participants provided subjective ratings for overall quality, smoothness, and input responsiveness. Results indicate that delay within the tested range produced minimal changes in gameplay performance and perceived experience. In contrast, increasing jitter led to a noticeable decline in quality of experience, suggesting that players are more sensitive to jitter variability than latency.

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