The Eyes: A Critical Component of Expert Performance in Esports

In the realm of esports, where precision, speed, and split-second decision-making define the difference between winning and losing, the eyes are one of the most critical tools a player has. Just as physical athletes rely on their muscles, reflexes, and coordination, esports athletes depend heavily on their visual acuity, perception, and eye-hand coordination to perform at the highest levels. In this blog I will consider some of the ways in which vision contribute to achieving expert performance in esports.

Visual Acuity and Reaction Time

Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of vision and the ability to perceive fine details. Static visual acuity is what is being tested with the test you usually associate with visiting an optometrist, reading progressively smaller letters from a chart. Dynamic visual acuity, is being able to maintain this sharp focus when either you, or the object of interest is moving and this is usually of greater importance in both physical sports and esports.

In fast-paced esports titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Overwatch, being able to quickly and accurately identify targets, threats, or important game elements is essential. A player’s ability to spot an enemy peeking around a corner, discern subtle changes in the game environment, or notice key cooldown timers often determines the outcome of engagements and even entire matches.

Quick reaction time is another area where eyes are indispensable. The time it takes for a player to see something on-screen and then react by pressing the correct keys or moving the mouse is a fundamental aspect of esports performance. This reaction time hinges on the ability of the eyes to send accurate, rapid information to the brain, which then processes it and translates it into physical action. Reaction time for an average person is around 250m/s (from a target flashing to a person pressing a button to respond). For expert esports athletes, visual processing will take around half this time, allowing them to respond faster than their opponents. The more complicated a response, or the more possible options there are, the longer reaction time becomes, although training can help improve this and is something all esports athletes should engage in.

Eye-Hand Coordination

Eye-hand coordination, the ability to synchronize visual input with hand movements, is at the core of every successful esports player's skill set. Whether it's landing headshots in first-person shooters, executing complex combos in fighting games, or managing resources and units in real-time strategy games, eye-hand coordination is crucial.

In games like Fortnite or Apex Legends, players must constantly adjust their aim based on the movement of both their character and the target. This requires not just quick reflexes but also the ability to anticipate where the target will be and move the cursor accordingly. For MOBAs like League of Legends, precise clicks and keypresses are necessary to cast spells, move characters, and manage the battlefield, all of which depend on seamless eye-hand coordination.

Peripheral Vision and Spatial Awareness

Peripheral vision is the ability to see objects outside of the direct line of sight, which is incredibly important in esports. Many games require players to monitor multiple elements on the screen simultaneously. For example, in StarCraft II, players must keep an eye on their main base, mini-map, and various unit groups spread across the map. Having a well-developed peripheral vision allows players to stay aware of threats and opportunities without needing to constantly shift their focus. In my work with athletes, I am able to measure their peripheral awareness (both for size of visual field, and how fast reactions are to targets in the periphery) and then train athletes to improve in these areas.

Spatial awareness, closely related to peripheral vision, is the understanding of the environment and the relative positioning of objects within it. In games like Valorant or Rainbow Six Siege, understanding the layout of the map, the positioning of teammates, and the likely locations of enemies is crucial. Expert players develop an almost instinctual understanding of their surroundings, which is heavily reliant on their visual perception. Through training, you can speed up the development of this spatial awareness.

Saccadic Eye Movements

Being able to quickly and accurately move your eyes from one part of the screen to another important skill for esports athletes. This type of eye-movements are called saccades and are the fastest way a human has of moving their eyes to an area of interest.

In games such as League of Legends or Dota 2, players frequently glance at the mini-map to monitor enemy positions, keep track of objectives, and coordinate with teammates. Saccadic eye movements allow players to quickly shift their focus from the main gameplay area to the mini-map and back, ensuring they remain aware of the overall game state without losing track of their immediate actions.

In many esports titles, the heads-up display (HUD) contains vital information such as health, ammunition, cooldowns, and abilities. For example, in Overwatch or Valorant, players need to keep an eye on their health bar, ability cooldowns, and available resources. Saccadic movements enable players to rapidly switch their gaze between different HUD elements and the game action, helping them manage resources and make informed decisions.

Saccadic eye movements are an essential tool in the arsenal of an esports player, enabling them to process visual information quickly and efficiently. By rapidly shifting their gaze between different focal points, esports athletes can maintain situational awareness, react to threats, and manage multiple game elements simultaneously—skills that are crucial for success in competitive gaming.

Gaze behaviour:

Where and when elite esports players focus their gaze is crucial to their success. For example, in sports where spotting movements is critical such as in stealth-based gameplay or battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, gaze patterns are used to scan the environment for subtle visual cues. These movements allow players to detect opponents' movements and then react accordingly.

Equally, in tactical shooters like Rainbow Six Siege or Valorant, players often engage in reconnaissance, where they must scan rooms, corridors, or entire maps to spot enemies, traps, or other threats. The order elite players make these scans may differ from novice players and being able to quickly assess different areas, checking corners, doors, and windows for any signs of danger while staying alert to the overall situation may mean the different between success and failure.

It is possible to measure gaze behaviour of esports athletes using an eye-tracker and this can provide vital information to the team. Different players may use different search strategies so knowing how your team mates scan can lead to creating the best tactics for team success.

Fatigue and Eye Health

So far, I have mentioned areas which will help esports athletes achieve peak performance. However, they also need to be aware of how their eyes need looking after to prevent poor performance. Prolonged screen time can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and even long-term vision problems, all of which can negatively impact performance. Esports athletes usually play for several hours at a stretch, which can tire the eyes and reduce visual performance. Maintaining eye health through proper ergonomics, regular breaks, and even eye exercises is critical for sustaining high levels of performance.

Training the Eyes for Peak Performance

Just like physical skills, visual skills can be trained and enhanced. Esports athletes should engage in specific exercises designed to improve visual tracking, reaction time, and focus. These exercises might include following fast-moving objects on screen, practicing with high-contrast targets, or even using specialized software designed to train visual reflexes.

In addition to exercises, professional gamers are trained to minimize distractions and optimize their visual focus during gameplay. This mental training allows them to stay locked onto crucial elements of the game, filtering out irrelevant information and reducing cognitive load.

Professional esports teams and organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of eye care. Some are starting to employ sports vision specialists who work with players to enhance their visual skills and manage the strain that comes with extensive gaming. If you are an esports team or individual athlete and want to learn more about how to maximise your performance through better understanding and training your visual system – get in contact!

Conclusion

The eyes are not just a passive tool in esports; they are an active, dynamic component of what makes a player truly exceptional. From visual acuity and quick reaction times to peripheral vision and eye-hand coordination, every aspect of expert performance in esports is intertwined with the player's ability to effectively use their eyes. As the esports industry continues to grow and evolve, the role of vision in gameplay is likely to become even more critical, cementing the importance of eye health and training in the pursuit of competitive excellence.