Join us for an exciting discussion with Valtteri Wikström, who delves into the intriguing world of inter-brain synchronization during online gameplay. By using EEG hyperscanning, Wikström and his team investigated cooperative performance during real-time online two-player gameplay, where participants were physically isolated and communicated solely through on-screen actions.

The results of the study showed a correlation between momentary performance and gamma synchronization, and average performance with alpha synchronization. Interestingly, synchronization across frequency bands decreased during a playing session, but it was elevated in the second of two sessions. This provides an interesting look into how online real-time joint coordination occurs without any physical co-presence or video and audio connection and how changes in inter-brain EEG phase synchrony can be observed continuously during the interaction.

In this episode, we discuss these findings in-depth, and explore what this could mean for the future of online multiplayer gaming and potentially, other forms of remote collaboration and communication.

Keywords: EEG hyperscanning, Inter-brain synchronization, Online gameplay, Cooperative performance, Valtteri Wikström.

Inter-brain synchronization occurs without physical co-presence during cooperative online gaming https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108316