| Title: |
Towards handicapping for online competitive video games:a taxonomical review of intervention studies |
| Authors: |
Gordon, Pete; Kavanagh, William; Howson, Thomas; Lavallee, David |
| Source: |
Gordon, P, Kavanagh, W, Howson, T & Lavallee, D 2026, 'Towards handicapping for online competitive video games : a taxonomical review of intervention studies', Games: Research and Practice, vol. 4, no. 1, 5. https://doi.org/10.1145/3785476 |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Subject Terms: |
Handicapping; Competitive games; Skill balancing; Online matchmaking; Game accessibility; Literature review |
| Description: |
Inappropriate challenge levels—due to mixed-ability matchmaking—can result in a playerbase-diminishing feedback effect in online competitive video games. Handicapping mechanisms, which have proven effective in other domains of play, remain largely under-utilised in this context. Considering an assumed preference for authentic gameplay in online play experiences, we propose a taxonomy for handicapping mechanisms based on their representation of non-handicapped gameplay conditions. We subsequently review handicapping interventions in the literature. The review finds that handicapping mechanisms are effective at balancing outcomes for mixed-ability sets of players in competitive video games and do not diminish enjoyment. Indeed, there is a likelihood of enhancing enjoyment, especially for lower-ability players. Application of the taxonomy reveals a key form of handicapping has been overlooked and we offer potential explanations for this gap. Additionally, we outline a vision for how the types of handicapping mechanism can facilitate graduated access into online competitive games. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1145/3785476 |
| Availability: |
https://rke.abertay.ac.uk/en/publications/138deb03-eac8-4caa-bb02-4a1f28b1cbe6; https://doi.org/10.1145/3785476; https://rke.abertay.ac.uk/ws/files/102995841/Gordon_TowardsHandicappingForOnlineCompetitive_Published_2026.pdf |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.EADEBAC3 |
| Database: |
BASE |