The Psychology Behind E-sports

The psychology behind e-sports has become more relevant these days. E-sports are becoming more and more popular every year, and it is common to hear about it in the media. International e-sports tournaments have millions of followers. They are also excellent publicity for video game producers and organizers.

In this article, we have two things to focus on. The first is the skills and behaviors that good e-sports players need. We will also analyze why these games are so attractive to new generations.

We will look at the main characteristics of this phenomenon from a psychological point of view. Technology is evolving at an incredible rate, and video games can be a problem for many reasons. However, they can also be valuable tools in an intervention.

E-sports: Video game boomers

Globalization has undoubtedly had an impact on the e-sports phenomenon. The number of people playing video games has increased dramatically in recent years.

Many who grew up playing video games and still play them as adults are parents. Their children also play, and people between their ages. These days, it’s hard to imagine that it all started in the 70’s, when people went out together to play Pac-Man or Space Invaders.

The Internet Revolution

The ability to connect to the Internet and play online with other users revolutionized the market in the 90’s. Big manufacturers like Nintendo and Sony constantly competed to be better than the other.

Around the same time, industry leaders realized the importance of understanding consumer demands. This is when they laid the foundation for the psychology behind e-sports.

Professionalization of e-sports

The “boom” has been so significant that many people actually make a living playing video games. The tournaments themselves have become relevant at an international level. Giant competitions such as those started in Japan and South Korea have spread to the rest of the world.

The growth of this market and the availability of sponsors make it possible for many to make a living from e-sports. There are different game categories:

• Real-time strategy game (RTS). These games are based on real sports. An example is FIFA football tournaments.
• First-person shooter (FPS). War simulation games and games where you are on armed missions fall into this category. An example is the popular game Counter-Strike.
• Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA). This is the most popular type of game, where people fight in a fantasy world. League of Legends is one of the most popular MOBA games.

Why is e-sports so popular?

Watching videos on YouTube of other people playing video games is a very popular activity among younger generations. Many parents and older adults find this phenomenon a bit strange. After all,  what can be so attractive about watching someone else play, without playing yourself? Psychologists suggest the following explanations:

• Aesthetics. The art of playing well. Professional players offer an attractive way to play.
• Drama. Seeing other people participate in a competitive activity is exciting. In addition, when there are two or more players involved, it is even more exciting.
• Escape. Like any form of entertainment, it is a form of distraction for the viewer.
• A feeling of freedom. Die-hard football lovers identify themselves as fans, and e-sports followers identify themselves as “gamers”. In other words, e-sports followers also identify with a player or a team.

The psychology behind e-sports

These days, there are many reasons to use video games. From pilot training to helping children with ADHD in education, video games can be great educational tools.

Several studies support the idea that video games improve cognitive abilities. Their increasing complexity requires the skills they contribute to developing.

The most important psychological skills involved in e-sports

From a psychological point of view, there are several “requirements” to be a good player. When we talk about “cognitive skills”, we mean the brain’s executive functions with high demand. Let’s take a look at some of the most widely used in e-sports.

• Attention. Playing this type of video game requires high levels of persistent attention. Players need to pay attention to every detail of the screen, and some games can last for several hours.

• Planning. As strategy is an indispensable part of e-sports, planning is a basic skill. These players require a high ability to process the events of the game. They also require you to respond both quickly and intelligently.
• Working memory. This ability consists of using all your cognitive resources on one task. It is absolutely necessary to connect what you see on the screen with what has already happened.
• Inhibition. Being able to control your impulses and focus your attention on a specific goal is another important e-sports skill. A crucial aspect of the game is to ignore potential distractions.

What do e-sports fans want?

The requirements for e-sports fans, together with the technology that is always evolving, means that the industry is always changing. Psychologists have noticed these changes. These days, they seem to be following a trend. They realized that players and viewers appreciate certain features, such as:

• “Immersion”.  The more realistic the game, the better. The players want to feel that they are “inside” the game.
• Competitiveness. Manufacturers tend to offer better scenarios and game modes.
• The story. Players want to play something with a complex story. It feeds the myths and players’ sense of being in the game.
• Realism and fantasy. The graphics are incredibly important. This is because it offers a certain level of realism. However, a dose of realism can also complement the fantastic scenarios and stories because it arouses the players’ curiosity.

An industry plagued by problems

E-track organizations are struggling with issues that you also see in other sports. Today, they threaten to destroy the industry. One of the problems is the proliferation of drugs and medications that help players keep up and improve their performance. Gender stereotypes are also a problem. In addition, games that can potentially be addictive in children are  also a problem.

To conclude, psychology is becoming more and more interested in e-sports. When we look at this phenomenon from a psychological point of view, it helps us to understand why it is such a popular activity. Some researchers discuss how “sporty” e-sports really is. Still, one cannot deny the cognitive skills a professional player needs. A psychological analysis of e-sports can also help identify complications and problems within the games, as well as potential use of therapy.