Transfer-Related Cognitive and Learning Profiles Across Predominant MOBA Roles in Novice Esports Players
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Esports research increasingly recognizes that multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games contain differentiated team roles, yet it remains unclear whether these role differences correspond to cognitive and learning-related profiles beyond immediate gameplay. This exploratory secondary analysis examined whether naturally emerging predominant roles were associated with post-intervention transfer-related outcomes among novice League of Legends players. Here, transfer-related refers to outcomes assessed beyond immediate gameplay and does not imply causal demonstration of transfer. Data came from the experimental arm of an eight-week quasi-experimental intervention requiring at least 18 hours of gameplay. Of 42 experimental participants, one predominantly played jungle and was excluded because this created a single-participant category. The final sample comprised 41 undergraduates classified as top lane (n = 5), mid lane (n = 15), marksman/ADC (n = 12), or support (n = 9). Outcomes included EEG-based attention-related engagement, working-memory-related theta activity, and theta/alpha-based cognitive load recorded during a standardized dual n-back task, together with 21st-century learner skills and content-specific learning performance. After z-standardization, Euclidean distances were analyzed using PERMANOVA with 9,999 permutations, principal coordinates analysis, and a multivariate dispersion diagnostic. The omnibus PERMANOVA did not detect statistically significant role-based differentiation, pseudo-F(3, 37) = 0.941, p = .526, R² = .071. PCoA showed substantial overlap, no statistically detectable dispersion differences were found, and the baseline sensitivity analysis was non-significant. These findings suggest that functional role differentiation within MOBA gameplay should not be assumed to produce corresponding differentiation in transfer-related outcomes among novice players with relatively short role exposure.
Source: Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi
Authors: Meriç Boynukara, Özcan Özgür Dursun
Institutions: Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Anadolu University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223188166