Competitive gaming is not a static domain; rather, data analysis is gradually turning into the key player in the esports scene. With the competitive gaming industry expanding, teams and organizations are using data to enhance recovery, strategy, and fan interactions. But what exactly does data analytics mean and is it now changing esports?
Data analytics can be defined as the formulation of data collection, analysis, and interpretation with the aim of making the right decisions. In esports, this data can be obtained from video games, player achievements, and the interaction level of the public with the broadcasts. Such data can be used to guide teams’ strategies and improve the experience for the viewers.
Probably the most prominent application of data analytics in esports is the enhancement of the player’s performance. Teams gather numerous numerical values based on players’ actions in the game, including K/D, Shooting, and Mobbing. From this data, coaches, and analysts involved in the training of the players can easily be able to note the strengths and weaknesses of the players.
In the same way, if a player is so weak in the aspect of shooting in shooting games, it is possible to schedule a specific exercise to train the weak aspect to improve. Such an approach enables tactical work on creating individualized training programs meant to improve the skills of each person and the team as a whole.
Data analysis is also useful in cultivating a game strategy. Through the analysis of the gameplay of the rivals, the teams can determine their habits and other specific aspects with which they can build their strategies. For example, if the data shows that an opponent commonly utilizes some strategy, it is possible to develop ways how to take advantage of such practice.
However, this analytical approach not only helps control the actions of the team during the game but also contributes to a better understanding of the specifics of esports competitions, which more and more often gain the universe’s popularity.
Apart from the impact on the outcome and the efficiency of the game by the players, data analytics is also crucial in interaction with fans. Due to the conciseness of esports spectators, the esports organizations also apply analytics for evaluating such categories as the most favorite players or teams and the types of content that spectators like. This insight helps teams to change their marketing approaches and develop materials that will be interesting for the fans.
For instance, if getting to know that the fans are more engaged in behind-the-scenes information or the players’ interviews, the teams should aim at producing more such content to make the fans feel more connected to it.
It is however important to look at the challenges that are associated with data analytics; Despite its many advantages, data analytics has its disadvantages. It is common to work with large amounts of data that might overwhelm to make good sense of and only pull useful conclusions out of them. Also, data quality is important since improper data may result in unsound decision-making.
Moreover, it is also crucial to balance between the analytics of playing the game and the fact that the main word in the game title is People. Therefore, while BA supports the decision-making process and fosters players’ and coaches’ thinking, one has to bear in mind that players and coaches are highly intelligent persons and they should rely on their feelings and experiences.
Thus, with further advancements in technology, data analytics will also find even more uses in esports. It is believed that such technologies as artificial intelligence and machine learning will be able to improve data analysis even deeper for the teams to be able to derive better insights into gameplay and fans.
All in all, methods of DS are revamping the esports industry through the increase in player efficiency strategy improvement, and better interaction with fans. Thus, as teams and organizations accept information-driven environments, they will be able to stay competitive in the context of this industry that is known for constant adaptation and enhancement.