Understanding Game Roles and Strategy Using a Mixed Methods Approach

Abstract

In this paper, we use the Tracer Method to examine a complex and team-oriented, first-person shooter game to determine how the output can better inform Esports training. The Tracer Method combines eye tracking with Critical Decision Method to focus the analyses on the critical aspects of gameplay, while providing insight into the most frequent visual search transitions across game areas of interest. We examined the differences across three in-game roles and three decision types (strategic, operational, and tactical) using network centrality diagrams and entropy measures. No differences in overall stationary entropy were found for either role or decision type. However, each game role and decision type produced a different network centrality diagram, indicating different visual search transitions, which could support training of Esport players.