The Cognitive Mechanics of Video Game Difficulty: An Empirical Analysis

This study investigates the factors contributing to perceived difficulty in video games, integrating user scores, cognitive requirements, novelty, and structural complexity. Using a dataset of 100 video games across multiple genres, we performed logistic regression analyses to identify the relative contributions of various gameplay and cognitive factors to player-perceived difficulty. Our findings indicate that task complexity and cognitive load are primary predictors of perceived difficulty, whereas narrative novelty and kinetic demands exert secondary but meaningful influences. This framework provides a quantitative approach for evaluating and predicting game difficulty in both design and research contexts.