The MapFlows application I've been developing now has the option to generate quicktime movies of the heatmaps. These maps can either show or hide the background image of the level. For the purpose of analysis, I like to sometimes see the emergent structure of the level from the patterns of movement without having the map always in view. Below is an example of my "catwalk" map (using one of my experimental conditions) with and without the background map.

Without Background Map

With Background Map

One of the applications of this technology is to provide a visual/analog means of assessing level design, with data from real players.

For example, it can bring into high-relief when players are exploring a level in roughly the same manner, or if they appear to be wandering aimlessly. In both of the examples below, there was 1 fixed spawn point and roughly the same number of player-sessions of data. Each frame is 1 second of gameplay and the video plays at 12 frames per second.

Example 1 - Wandering Aimlessly

Example 2 - Highly-Patterned Flow Through the Level

Announcing the re-birth of the Media Revolutions Project!

http://www.mediarevolutions.org