Meta (most Effective Tactics Available) and Factors Affecting The Result of A Match In An Esports Game

This study aims to identify the factors within the “meta” (Most Effective Tactics Available) that have the greatest impact on the likelihood of winning an esports match. The meta encompasses all actions and strategies that allow players to achieve optimal results and gain an advantage over competitors, including equipment choice, tactical preparation, and game knowledge. A survey was conducted among 204 experienced esports players to gather their opinions on various factors influencing match outcomes, both dependent and independent of the player. Seven hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationships between factors such as random elements, equipment preparation, tactical preparation, strength of the opposing team, fairness of the match, prior preparation, and knowledge about the game. The results indicated that random factors do not significantly affect match outcomes, while tactical preparation, appropriate equipment, prior preparation, strength of the opposing team, fairness of the match, and game knowledge have a significant positive impact on the chances of winning. Notably, tactical preparation and the strength of the opposing team were among the strongest predictors of match results. The findings suggest that in esports, player skills, knowledge, and adherence to the game’s meta are crucial determinants of success, whereas random factors play a negligible role. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the elements that influence competitive performance in esports and underscores the importance of strategic preparation and knowledge acquisition.