Performance indicators in experienced and inexperienced eSport athletes

Introduction & Aim: eSports involves players competing in computer gaming competitions. As eSports is becoming increasingly popular, no studies have investigated performance indicators relative to playing level. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identity performance-related factors in eSports using an experienced based paradigm. Method: Experienced (n = 6) and in-experienced (n = 4) eSport athletes engaged in two bouts of 10 minute gameplay of Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS, Valve Corporation, Washington, USA). Anthropometrical measurements (height, weight, hand dominance and eye acuity) and working memory capacity (visual pattern recall task and letter recall task) were assessed prior performance. While performing, binocular visual search behaviour (time to first fixation (s) and first fixation length (s)) was assessed using a SensoMotoric Instrument (SMI, SensoMotoric Instrument, Teltow, Berlin, Germany) at a sampling rate of 24Hz. Further performance measures included the number of keystrokes (n/s), keystroke distance (m), mouse clicks (n/s), mouse distance (m) and wheel rotations (cm). These were recorded using the Razer Gaming Synapse software (Razer, San Diego, California, USA). Results / Conclusion: A MANOVA (playing experience as fixed factor; measurements of gaze behaviour, working memory capacity and performance variables as dependent variables) revealed no significant differences in gaze behaviour between eSports performance levels. Univariate effects (p<0.05) of eSports performance level on the average keystrokes/sec, total damage inflicted (points), accuracy (percentage of shots successful/shots fired), kill/death ratio and working memory capacity (n/84 letters recalled). Experienced eSport athletes demonstrated poorer working memory capacity yet better performance indicators throughout the performance. Additional data will increase the statistical power required to assess decision-making processes and performance indicators in eSports.