FPS Latency Study
Does ping really affect your game performance?
Overview
As a gamer, I always wondered whether network latency genuinely impacts performance or if players just blame lag for their mistakes. I designed and conducted a complete HCI study to find out.
The Problem
While gamers universally complain about lag, there was limited empirical evidence specifically measuring the relationship between ping and in-game performance metrics in competitive FPS games.
Approach
Recruited N=18 Counter-Strike 2 players (ages 18–24). Conducted in-depth interviews about their latency experiences. Collected match data across different ping conditions. Performed statistical analysis using Pearson correlation.
Challenges
Controlling for confounding variables (player skill, server conditions, time of day). Recruiting enough participants for statistical significance. Designing interview questions that avoid bias.
Results
Ping vs. K/D ratio: Pearson r = -0.72, p < 0.01 (strong negative correlation). Accuracy degradation: -18% to -35% at higher latencies. Reaction time increase: +30 to +60 ms. Accepted as a poster at CHI 2026 in Barcelona.