Accuracy in Dead-Reckoning Based Distributed Multi-Player Games

In this paper we show that this traditional method of usage of dead reckoning vector brings in inaccuracy in the receivers' rendering of the entity. This inaccuracy can be substantial even with low network delay between the sender-receiver pairs and increases with network delay. We propose the use of globally synchronized clocks among the participating players and a time-stamp augmented dead reckoning vector that enables the receiver to render the entity accurately. We modified the popular game BZFlag with this technique, and compared the accuracy seen in game playing using the traditional method and the proposed technique.