Why Cooperation Trumps Individual Brilliance: The Power of Teamwork in Esports

Flashy mechanics and lightning-fast reflexes are undeniably impressive, but esports ultimately rely on teamwork. Victory depends not only on individual skill but on the collective ability of players to work together seamlessly. Research suggests that cooperative skills are linked more strongly to superior esports performance than purely individual strengths (Tang, 2018). By examining group dynamics in esports, we can better understand the qualities that are key to team success in esports.

Here's a breakdown of the psychological and strategic factors at play:

The Synergy Advantage: Communication and Coordination

Effective communication ( a valuable people skill) is paramount in esports. Nielsen, & Hanghøj, (2019) have shown that effective teamwork in sports psychology uses clear and concise communication for optimal team performance. In the fast-paced world of esports, players need to instantly share information about enemy positions, objective status, and strategic plans. This requires active listening, concise call-outs, and a shared understanding of in-game terminology (Oksala, 2022; Francis, 2023).

Beyond communication, successful teams exhibit strong coordination. Research by Freeman and Wohn (2019) and Rusk, Taylor, and Ståhl (2024) demonstrates that teams with high levels of cohesion, where members anticipate each other's actions, outperform teams with lower cohesion. In esports, coordinated team plays, like flanking maneuvers in Overwatch or synchronized pushes in League of Legends, often spell the difference between victory and defeat.

Beyond Mechanics: Strategic Thinking and Adaptability

While individual skill is a foundation, it's the team's strategic acumen that takes center stage. MacMahon, Helsen, Starkes,  & Weston, (2007) examined expertise in team sports highlight the importance of "game sense," the ability to read the game state and make strategic decisions (Breed, & Spittle, 2020; Martončik, Karhulahti, Jin, & Adamkovič, 2024). In esports, teams need to analyze opponent strategies, adapt to evolving situations, and formulate winning counter-plays. This requires a collaborative effort, with each member contributing their strategic insights and adapting their individual roles to the team's overall strategy.

Esports are dynamic, with the meta (most effective tactics) constantly evolving. Research by [Nagorsky, & Wiemeyer, 2020).] emphasizes the importance of adaptability in complex decision-making environments. Successful teams are willing to adjust strategies on the fly, capitalizing on unexpected opportunities and learning from past mistakes. This adaptability thrives on open communication and a shared mental model of the game, fostered by strong cooperative skills (Canas, Quesada, Antoli, & Fajardo, 2003).

The Mental Edge: Trust and Support

The psychological benefits of a cohesive team shouldn't be underestimated. Studies by Cota, Evans,  Dion, Kilik, & Longman,  1995; Rusk, Ståhl, & Jusslin, 2022; Rusk, Taylor,  & Ståhl, 2024), demonstrate how social support from teammates can enhance mental toughness and reduce anxiety in competitive situations. Knowing you have reliable teammates can boost confidence and allow you to take calculated risks. This psychological safety net allows players to push their individual boundaries, ultimately contributing to a higher level of overall team performance.

In conclusion, while individual skill is a valuable asset, esports success rests heavily on the foundation of strong cooperative skills. Effective communication, coordinated plays, strategic thinking, adaptability, and a supportive team environment all contribute significantly to victory. By prioritizing these cooperative skills, esports teams can unlock their true potential and dominate the competition.

References

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Canas, J., Quesada, J., Antoli, A., & Fajardo, I. (2003). Cognitive flexibility and adaptability to environmental changes in dynamic complex problem-solving tasks. Ergonomics, 46(5), 482-501. https://doi.org/10.1080/0014013031000061640

Carron, A. V., Brawley, L. R., & Wong, P. T. (1982). Cohesion: Is it a unitary construct? Journal of Sport Psychology, 4(1), 92-106.

Cota, A. A., Evans, C. R., Dion, K. L., Kilik, L., & Longman, R. S. (1995). The structure of group cohesion. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 21(6), 572-580. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672952160

Côté, J., Baker, J., & Abernethy, B. (2007). Practice and play in the development of sport expertise. Handbook of sport psychology, 3(184-202). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118270011.fmatter

Francis, R. F. (2023). Using team gameplay to develop observable metrics for teaming behavior measurement (Master's thesis, Iowa State University).

Freeman, G., & Wohn, D. Y. (2019). Understanding eSports team formation and coordination. Computer supported cooperative work (CSCW), 28, 95-126.

MacMahon, C., Helsen, W. F., Starkes, J. L., & Weston, M. (2007). Decision-making skills and deliberate practice in elite association football referees. Journal of sports sciences, 25(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2019.0403

Martončik, M., Karhulahti, V. M., Jin, Y., & Adamkovič, M. (2024). Psychological predictors of long-term esports success: A Registered Report. Collabra: Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.117677

Nagorsky, E., & Wiemeyer, J. (2020). The structure of performance and training in esports. PloS one, 15(8), e0237584. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250316

Nielsen, R. K. L., & Hanghøj, T. (2019, October). Esports skills are people skills. In 13th European Conference on Game-based Learning (pp. 535-542). Academic Conferences and Publishing International. DOI: 10.34190/GBL.19.041 

Oksala, A. (2022). The importance of communication in esports: an ethnographic interview with a Finnish Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team (Master's thesis, A. Oksala). https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-202206142831

Rusk, F., Ståhl, M., & Jusslin, S. (2022). Understanding Esports Teamplay as an Emergent Choreography: An Ethnomethodological Analysis. Eludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture, 13(1), 49-80. https://doi.org/10.7557/23.6629 

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