Relationships between Dota 2 expertise and decision-making ability

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 1;17(3):e0264350. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264350. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Esports is an often time-consuming activity that has become increasingly popular with billions of players all over the world. The objective of this study was to investigate if there is a relationship between skill level in the strategy video game Dota 2, a game that places many demands on decision making to be successful, and decision making under ambiguity and experience as measured by performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a task known to have ecological validity. Two indicators of players' performance in Dota 2, namely match-making rating (MMR) and Medal, were used as predictors of performance in the IGT in path models. Results showed that Medal was a significant predictor of performance in IGT, while MMR score was borderline significant. The cognitive reflection task, included in the models as an indicator of the ability to engage in conscious, analytical, rational, and logical thinking, was a significant predictor of performance in IGT, and was significantly and positively related to MMR. The findings from this study give insight into the cognitive demands related to performance in Dota 2. Although results suggest that strategy video gaming may be a factor that contributes to increased decision making abilities, a reversed relationship is also possible, whereby individuals who are better at decision making are also more likely to become successful in Dota-2. More studies, preferably longitudinal, are needed to replicate the findings of this study and to establish the directionality between factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Decision Making*
  • Gambling* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests

Grants and funding

DES, PH, MVM, and JKL were funded by Knut and Alice Wallenberg’s Foundation grant (KAW 2014.0205). Information about the funder can be found at: https://kaw.wallenberg.org/. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.