Game Play Differences by Expertise Level in Dota 2, A Complex Multiplayer Video Game

Dota 2, a complex team based video game, was used to study expertise and attentional allocation in a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) setting. Pre- and post-play survey questions and eye-tracker data were collected from 67 video game players during a session of Dota 2 play. Questions explored abstract versus concrete conceptualizations of game-play and individual versus team focus. Quantitative eye-tracker data was evaluated for differences in visual attention and scan patterns. The authors noted that novices reflected on more concrete game elements and were likely to look back at the same location twice in a row. There was no difference among player categories in amount of time looking at mini-map or in self vs. team focus; however, experts were more able to reflect on abstract game concepts. Expert-novice differences in this study are similar to expertise research findings from other domains. The qualitative and unique quantitative metrics that can be gathered from complex games may provide insight into the development of expertise.