Machine learning is always a fascinating field especially when it pertains to games. Creating difficulty curves that actually match player’s abilities is the Holy Grail of single player games. So a researcher from Mexico and another from Spain set out on the simplest of quests: to make a game of Pong that adapted to your abilities.
The researchers say this will prevent poor players getting frustrated, and good players getting bored. Indeed, in tests with volunteers using the software with skill adaptation turned off, and then again with it turned on, they claim less boredom, less frustration and more engagement with the game reported in the latter scenario.