Tuning the Trail: Effects of Desire Paths on Player Behavior and Experience During Goal-Directed and Exploratory Play

Player traces such as footprints are a common way to make prior players’ actions visible and to scaffold navigation and learning. Yet it remains unclear how the density of such traces affects players’ experience across different task demands. We investigate how sparse versus dense footprints shape players’ reliance on traces, perceived usefulness, and workload in two contrasting gameplay tasks: one that benefits from following established routes and one that rewards broader exploration and collection. We conducted a controlled mixed-methods study combining behavioral telemetry, standardized scales ( NASA–TLX , miniPXI ), and open-ended feedback. We found that denser footprints increased players’ tendency to rely on traces and improved perceived usefulness. Goal clarity was shaped primarily by the task itself. At the same time, workload was significantly shaped by the task itself: goal-oriented play imposed higher temporal demand and effort than open exploration. Qualitative reports and descriptive patterns further suggest that the experiential meaning of density depends on context, i.e., dense traces appeared supportive when players pursued a clear goal, but constraining during free exploration. We discuss implications on player navigation in game design and offer directions for future work.