Time on task matters most in video game expertise

Area of Science:

• Psychology of video gaming
• Cognitive psychology
• Skill acquisition research

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing performance in complex video games like Dota 2 is crucial for skill acquisition research.
• Previous research has explored cognitive and personality factors in gaming, but specific predictors for Dota 2 performance require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive power of working memory capacity (WMC), grit, and time on task on matchmaking rating (MMR) in experienced Dota 2 players.
• To explore the interrelationships between WMC, grit, time on task, and MMR using structural equation modelling.

Main Methods:

• Data collection via questionnaires and four online cognitive tasks.
• Structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyze relationships between variables.
• Focus on experienced players of the video game Dota 2.

Main Results:

• Time on task (number of matches played) emerged as the strongest predictor of MMR.
• Grit, a measure of perseverance and passion for long-term goals, also significantly predicted performance.
• Working memory capacity (WMC) did not show a substantial predictive relationship with MMR in this sample.

Conclusions:

• Deliberate practice, as indicated by time on task, and personality traits like grit are key determinants of high performance in Dota 2.
• Cognitive abilities like WMC may play a less direct role in predicting performance for experienced players in this specific gaming domain.
• Future research should explore social dynamics, personality-performance links, and the qualitative nature of practice in skill development.