Exploiting Real-Time EEG Analysis for Assessing Flow in Games

Ability of adapting to different users is considered key to maximize the impact and effectiveness of Serious Games (SGs). Advances in neurosciences are making it possible to continuously monitor the player status. This paper reports the research work on the monitoring of the player flow status with a simple (4 electrode) commercial electroencephalogram (EEG). In particular, we focus on three consequential research questions: is it possible to statistically distinguish a flow from a boredom condition? For which wavelengths? Can different levels of boredom and flow be identified? Results - even if limited because of the small size of the test, are promising and enable further research. Statistically significant differences could be observed for brainwaves under various conditions. A machine learning classifier (SVM) was successful in the 2-level distinction case, in particular with personalized training.