Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games

Irem Aydindogan; Sema Alacam

doi:10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292

Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games

Irem Aydindogan
, Sema Alacam

Department of Architecture

MEF University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

This study introduces a novel game mechanic for 3D puzzle games based on anamorphic projection to explore impossible spaces. By using perspective-driven spatial interactions, the mechanic creates environments that challenge conventional Euclidean logic. Players advance by aligning their viewpoint with distorted projections, making perception a central element of gameplay. A usability test with 33 participants assessed the mechanic's effectiveness through a structured questionnaire focusing on six dimensions: Ease of Control, Goals and Rules, Challenge, Mastery, Curiosity, and Immersion. Results indicate high engagement and cognitive stimulation, especially in mastery and goal clarity. These findings highlight the potential of anamorphic projection to support perceptually rich and mentally engaging puzzle experiences in future game design.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the IEEE 2025 Conference on Games, CoG 2025
Publisher	IEEE Computer Society
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331589042
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292
Publication status	Published - 2025
Event	7th IEEE Conference on Games, CoG 2025 - Lisbon, Portugal Duration: 26 Aug 2025 → 29 Aug 2025

Publication series

Name	IEEE Conference on Computatonal Intelligence and Games, CIG
ISSN (Print)	2325-4270
ISSN (Electronic)	2325-4289

Conference

Conference	7th IEEE Conference on Games, CoG 2025
Country/Territory	Portugal
City	Lisbon
Period	26/08/25 → 29/08/25

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.

Keywords

3D puzzle games
anamorphosis
game mechanics
impossible space
perspective

Access to Document

10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292

Cite this

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title = "Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games",

abstract = "This study introduces a novel game mechanic for 3D puzzle games based on anamorphic projection to explore impossible spaces. By using perspective-driven spatial interactions, the mechanic creates environments that challenge conventional Euclidean logic. Players advance by aligning their viewpoint with distorted projections, making perception a central element of gameplay. A usability test with 33 participants assessed the mechanic's effectiveness through a structured questionnaire focusing on six dimensions: Ease of Control, Goals and Rules, Challenge, Mastery, Curiosity, and Immersion. Results indicate high engagement and cognitive stimulation, especially in mastery and goal clarity. These findings highlight the potential of anamorphic projection to support perceptually rich and mentally engaging puzzle experiences in future game design.",

keywords = "3D puzzle games, anamorphosis, game mechanics, impossible space, perspective",

author = "Irem Aydindogan and Sema Alacam",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 IEEE.; 7th IEEE Conference on Games, CoG 2025 ; Conference date: 26-08-2025 Through 29-08-2025",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292",

language = "English",

series = "IEEE Conference on Computatonal Intelligence and Games, CIG",

publisher = "IEEE Computer Society",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the IEEE 2025 Conference on Games, CoG 2025",

address = "United States",

}

Aydindogan, I & Alacam, S 2025, Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games. in Proceedings of the IEEE 2025 Conference on Games, CoG 2025. IEEE Conference on Computatonal Intelligence and Games, CIG, IEEE Computer Society, 7th IEEE Conference on Games, CoG 2025, Lisbon, Portugal, 26/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292

Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games. / Aydindogan, Irem; Alacam, Sema.
Proceedings of the IEEE 2025 Conference on Games, CoG 2025. IEEE Computer Society, 2025. (IEEE Conference on Computatonal Intelligence and Games, CIG).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games

AU - Aydindogan, Irem

AU - Alacam, Sema

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - This study introduces a novel game mechanic for 3D puzzle games based on anamorphic projection to explore impossible spaces. By using perspective-driven spatial interactions, the mechanic creates environments that challenge conventional Euclidean logic. Players advance by aligning their viewpoint with distorted projections, making perception a central element of gameplay. A usability test with 33 participants assessed the mechanic's effectiveness through a structured questionnaire focusing on six dimensions: Ease of Control, Goals and Rules, Challenge, Mastery, Curiosity, and Immersion. Results indicate high engagement and cognitive stimulation, especially in mastery and goal clarity. These findings highlight the potential of anamorphic projection to support perceptually rich and mentally engaging puzzle experiences in future game design.

AB - This study introduces a novel game mechanic for 3D puzzle games based on anamorphic projection to explore impossible spaces. By using perspective-driven spatial interactions, the mechanic creates environments that challenge conventional Euclidean logic. Players advance by aligning their viewpoint with distorted projections, making perception a central element of gameplay. A usability test with 33 participants assessed the mechanic's effectiveness through a structured questionnaire focusing on six dimensions: Ease of Control, Goals and Rules, Challenge, Mastery, Curiosity, and Immersion. Results indicate high engagement and cognitive stimulation, especially in mastery and goal clarity. These findings highlight the potential of anamorphic projection to support perceptually rich and mentally engaging puzzle experiences in future game design.

KW - 3D puzzle games

KW - anamorphosis

KW - game mechanics

KW - impossible space

KW - perspective

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015385244

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DO - 10.1109/CoG64752.2025.11114292

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:105015385244

T3 - IEEE Conference on Computatonal Intelligence and Games, CIG

BT - Proceedings of the IEEE 2025 Conference on Games, CoG 2025

PB - IEEE Computer Society

T2 - 7th IEEE Conference on Games, CoG 2025

Y2 - 26 August 2025 through 29 August 2025

ER -

Anamorphic Projection as a Novel Game Mechanic for Investigating Impossible Spaces in 3D Puzzle Games

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Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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