Digital versus Physical testing

*By digital I mean testing prototypes on distance via e.g Zoom, Discord, Microsoft Teams, and implementing wizard-of-ozzing when testing “functionality” but behind the screen, physical meaning I’m testing them in person sitting next to them, and moving the cursor based on either how i think they’re controlling it, or asking the user directly where to move the cursor

I’ve found that testing through the screen on distant has been easier because according to the testers the fact that the cursor was moving accordingly felt realistic, more immersive, and because they couldn’t see me physically moving the cursor, the experience felt more convincing. On the other hand, when I was testing people in person the whole interaction felt a little bit forced, and though the testers report “having fun”, it was more confusing to the user what they had to do, while the tester on distance knew immediately what to do after hearing my instructions and seeing the interface.