Evaluation of fairness in multiplayer network games

Abstract

In multiplayer networks games, the network quality (delay or loss) differences among players can lead to unfairness in playing game. Fairness generally refers to all players having equal playing conditions in the conventional studies and it was attempted to keep fairness by making the level of network quality uniform for all game players. However, this approach makes network functions too complicated. This paper evaluates the fairness in multiplayer network games, assuming that no efforts are taken to make network quality uniform for all the game players and that a game is fair if all game players accept the existence of network quality differences and do not feel being treated unfairly. First, this paper tries to identify events which greatly influence the player's perception of unfairness. Then, this paper evaluates the lowest network quality level difference at which unfairness is not perceived by the game player, and indicates that the lowest network quality level difference in congested situation is less than that in normal situation. The results in this paper could provide basic information for the design of multiplayer network game systems.