There\u2019s no better testing ground for the burgeoning field of Gamer Science than gamescom, the world\u2019s largest gaming event, held in Cologne, Germany each August. The Logitech G Innovation team has utilized gamescom as a proving ground for new ideas since 2017, to not only design better gear, but to advance the industry\u2019s innovation with its pioneering scientific approach to human performance in gaming.<\/p>\n
This year, together with the University of Limerick\u2019s LERO Esports Science Research Lab, the Logitech G booth (Hall\u202f10.1, Booth\u202fC\u2011081<\/a>) will again be the site of joint \u2018Gamer Science\u2019 research, testing hundreds of gamers across a variety of biomechanical, cognitive, and reactive tests.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chance to test gamers of all varieties and identities in one place is priceless,\u201d said Niall White, Principal Gaming Design & Innovation Engineer at Logitech\u202fG. \u201cThe data we collect at gamescom drives six months of innovation and sparks ideas we\u2019d never find on our own.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark Campbell, Director of the LERO Esports Science Research Center, added, \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to bring our lab on the road again. This is our big annual data\u2011gathering event, and we\u2019ve got some cutting\u2011edge tests ready to go.\u201d A recent review by Lero of existing gaming research revealed that 82% of all test subjects are male, identifying a need for more women-focused research to balance the representative data set. As a result, Logitech G and Lero will publish the world\u2019s first Women in Gaming-focused research<\/a> later this year, based on data gathered from previous gamescoms and other competitive events.<\/p>\n The joint research isn\u2019t solely focused on the average gamer. For a decade, the team behind the competitive-grade gaming peripheral range Logitech G PRO Series has invested greatly in dedicated research and relationships to better understand key differences in gamers and non-gamers and the exacting needs of pro esports athletes. Through intimate product prototyping sessions with the world\u2019s greatest pros, to on-site performance support areas at the most prestigious esports events, to quantifying performance data tests into actionable insights to up their game.<\/p>\n Cary Lambert, Global Brand Manager of PRO Series & Esports at Logitech G, said, \u201cThe insights we get from studying the range of casual gamers to pro esports athletes are critical to the decisions we make at PRO Series. Every initiative we take on is backed by this research and validated by the world\u2019s best competitors to best serve anyone pursuing their peak performance in gaming.\u201d<\/p>\n At Gamescom, Logitech G partner BIG Esports\u2019 professional Fortnite roster will engage in a live testing session at the Logitech G booth. Performance data gathered from pro teams in sessions like this have led to discoveries like the optimal competitive gaming mouse weight \u2014 60 grams \u2014 pioneered by the PRO\u202fX\u202fSuperlight Mouse<\/a>, and influencing the industry standard ever since.<\/p>\n In addition, there will be something for all gamers to participate in, from eye-tracking setups on SIM racing rigs, to mouse-sensitivity perception tests, at the Logitech G gamescom booth this year. Testing sessions should run from 20-30 minutes, and there will be plenty of incentives to participate other than contributing to gamer science.<\/p>\n
\nData from last year\u2019s research informed research papers and conference presentations on topics like: The Psychology of Tilt, right upper-limb movement comparisons of esports players<\/em>, and The Impact of Action Observation and Mental Imagery on Competitive Gaming<\/em>.<\/p>\n