Beyond User Control: Exploring Hint System Design and Player Experience in Puzzle Games

Puzzle games rely heavily on hints to guide players, however research on the impact of hint availability and timing remains understudied. This study addresses this gap by investigating the impact of hint provision techniques, emphasizing user consent, player behavioral characteristics, and game-play dynamics within a 2D jigsaw puzzle. Three user-controlled hint methods are examined – always-available hints, reminder-based hints offered at periodic intervals, and performance-based hints triggered when players struggle to make a correct move or after consecutive failed attempts. The research explores how these methods, coupled with user consent, influence player experience and performance. We hypothesize that user control over hints enhances the game-play experience compared to unsolicited reminders. While some users do not rely on hints as it affects their sense of accomplishment, our findings highlight that users find reminder-based hints annoying and users with low self-esteem and less experience utilize more hints. Surprisingly, restricting user control does not significantly impact performance.