The Effects of UI Animation Complexity on Short-Term Memory and Player

Abstract

This study examines the effects of UI animations in games on players’ short-term memory and experiential outcomes. An original item-placement mini-game was developed in which participants were asked to memorize the layout of items and reproduce their positions. The participants were then divided into two groups, each of which was presented with UI animation effects differing in complexity, followed by an additional test of their memory for the item layouts from the mini-game. While no clear differences were observed between the two groups in gameplay scores, the post-animation layout memory scores tended to be higher in the group exposed to less complex animations. These results suggest that decorative animations may interfere with short-term memory retention. In contrast, subjective measures indicated that the group presented with more complex animations showed higher tendencies toward immersion and flow. The findings imply that, in entertainment-oriented games, reduced memory retention may lower cognitive load and contribute to an improved experience, whereas in learning-oriented games, increased animation complexity may reduce learning efficiency.