Video Game Background and Performance with Visual

Brendan Allison
University of Bremen

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     Last modified: September 4, 2007

Abstract
Brain - computer interface (BCI) systems allow users to communicate
via direct measures of brain activity, usually acquired via EEG. The
speed and accuracy of any BCI communication system depends heavily on
how quickly and effectively subjects can generate recognizably
different brain states that reflect different intentions. For example,
two common EEG BCI approaches rely on the steady state visual evoked
potential (SSVEP) or visually evoked P300. Several labs have reported
that individuals with a strong video game background can produce more
robust SSVEP differences than nongamers. Two studies in our lab showed
that gamers perform better and are comfortable with faster displays in
a P300 BCI than nongamers. In addition to elucidating theoretical
issues regarding human brain plasticity, attention, and gaming, these
observations may have two important implications for BCIs: gamers
might be better suited to certain BCI approaches and - contrary to the
literature - training could improve performance with a P300 or SSVEP
BCI system.