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Choking under pressure in online and live esports competitions

Author

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  • Naidenova, Iuliia
  • Parshakov, Petr
  • Tylkin, Igor
  • Vasiliev, Gleb

Abstract

This paper explores the phenomenon of choking under pressure within the context of esports, particularly focusing on the difference between online and live competitive settings and on high-pressure situations during overtime rounds. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research leverages an extensive dataset covering professional CS:GO matches from 2012 to 2022 (match-level) and from 2015 to 2023 (round-level), including performance metrics such as players' ratings, headshot percentages, and teammate damage. The findings indicate a substantial decrease in the performance of esports players during overtime. This effect, however, is significantly mitigated in online competitions compared to live events. The study also reveals that while individual performance suffers under pressure, the impact on team coordination is less pronounced in online settings, suggesting that the virtual environment might offer a buffer against the negative effects of stress on team dynamics. This study enriches our understanding of performance psychology in digital settings but also opens up new avenues for research on stress, teamwork, and performance in professional and virtual environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Naidenova, Iuliia & Parshakov, Petr & Tylkin, Igor & Vasiliev, Gleb, 2024. "Choking under pressure in online and live esports competitions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:227:y:2024:i:c:s0167268124003743
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2024.106760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Klein Teeselink, Bouke & Potter van Loon, Rogier J.D. & van den Assem, Martijn J. & van Dolder, Dennie, 2020. "Incentives, performance and choking in darts," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 38-52.
    2. Bucciol, Alessandro & Castagnetti, Alessandro, 2020. "Choking under pressure in archery," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    3. Ferraresi, Massimiliano & Gucciardi, Gianluca, 2021. "Who chokes on a penalty kick? Social environment and individual performance during Covid-19 times," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
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    5. Petr Parshakov & Dennis Coates & Marina Zavertiaeva, 2018. "Is diversity good or bad? Evidence from eSports teams analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(47), pages 5064-5075, October.
    6. Dennis Coates & Petr Parshakov & Sofia Paklina, 2020. "Do Managers Matter: Evidence From E‐Sports," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(2), pages 304-312, April.
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    8. Harb-Wu, Ken & Krumer, Alex, 2019. "Choking under pressure in front of a supportive audience: Evidence from professional biathlon," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 246-262.
    9. Bühren, Christoph & Gschwend, Martin & Krumer, Alex, 2024. "Expectations, gender, and choking under pressure: Evidence from alpine skiing," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    1. Jan Rejthar & Vojtěch Kotrba, 2025. "Incentive Effect of Heterogeneity on Performance in Esports," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(8), pages 4362-4373, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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