This project was also developed as a small exploration of how players react when two cognitive demands happen at the same time: motor activity through typing, and attention control through visual focus.
While playing, the player must not only type ingredients correctly, but also read recipes, monitor cooking progress, and respond to interruptions that appear unexpectedly.
Typing and Attention at the Same Time
In SAJI RASA, typing is not treated as simple input. It is used as a direct challenge where players must divide their focus between what they see and what they type.
This creates a situation where the player constantly performs two tasks together:
- Motor control while typing commands accurately
- Visual attention while observing recipes, timing, and threats
That combination places the player inside a multitasking condition, where every small mistake can affect the next action.
Supported by Cognitive Research
Several international studies explain why this kind of interaction creates mental workload.
Research by Colom et al. (2010) shows that multitasking performance is closely related to working memory capacity, meaning the brain actively stores and processes temporary information while handling multiple tasks.
Galy et al. (2012) also explain that time pressure increases mental workload significantly, especially when a task requires both speed and precision.
Pashler (1994) and Koch et al. (2018) further describe how dual-task situations force attention to switch rapidly, often reducing accuracy when multiple demands compete at once.
More recent findings by Bürkner & Holling (2025) show that under time pressure, decision accuracy becomes more vulnerable, especially when the player must respond quickly.
How This Appears Inside the Game
That research is reflected directly in SAJI RASA through gameplay progression:
- At first, players only focus on typing ingredients
- Later, rats appear and force sudden attention shifts
- In higher levels, players must manage multiple orders while reacting to intruders
The challenge is not only speed, but maintaining control under growing pressure.
More Than a Typing Mechanic
Because of that, typing in SAJI RASA is not only a control method. It becomes part of the game’s experiment: how much focus can be maintained when the hands and the mind are asked to work together under pressure.
This is why SAJI RASA was built not only as a game, but also as a practical exploration of cognitive interaction through play.
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