Does a high IQ help in eSports?

Esports have long ceased to be just entertainment – today it is a multi-billion dollar industry that requires players not only to react quickly, but also to have high intellectual abilities. What role does IQ play in the success of eSports athletes, and is it possible to improve your gaming skills by developing your intelligence? Let's figure it out.

The influence of intelligence on eSports achievements

Logical thinking and decision making

High IQ allows players to quickly analyze game situations and predict the actions of opponents. In disciplines such as Dota 2, League of Legends or StarCraft II, success depends on the ability to quickly calculate possible scenarios for the development of events.

A study by the University of York showed that professional League of Legends players demonstrate a level of intelligence comparable to chess players.

Fun fact: WhichBingo collaborated with a team of psychologists to administer a set of IQ tests to determine which game the brightest gamers play. The research examined 1,002 gamers aged 18 and up.

The renowned online game League of Legends has the highest IQ score (120.4). The player base of the popular single-player game Black Myth: Wukong came in second with an IQ of 119.8. Baldur's Gate 3 players finished third overall, with an average IQ of 117.9.

It is apparent that strategy and role-playing games correlate with higher IQ scores. Games like Baldur's Gate 3, Dark Souls, and Dota 2 also received good marks. Additionally, FC 24/FIFA 23 players had the lowest IQ in the survey, with an average score of 89.8.

Reaction speed and cognitive flexibility

Esports requires lightning-fast reactions and the ability to adapt to changing game conditions. High IQ is associated with cognitive flexibility – the ability to switch between tasks and quickly find innovative solutions.

In first-person shooters (for example, CS:GO), professional players make decisions on average in 300 milliseconds, which is significantly faster than the average person.

The connection between IQ and gaming results

Correlation between intelligence and rating

Research shows that players with a high IQ are more likely to occupy top positions in the rating tables.

In StarCraft II, players with a high IQ demonstrate better decision-making speed and strategic planning. In Dota 2, successful team captains have a high level of verbal and analytical intelligence.

Intellectual abilities important for eSports

• Analytical thinking – helps to analyze the playing style of opponents and adapt tactics.
• Working with a large amount of information – it is necessary to process and remember a lot of game data.
• Ability to multitask – it is important to keep track of the map, resources, team and opponents at the same time.

Can an IQ test reflect the abilities of eSports athletes?

By passing an IQ test online you can measure logical thinking, memory and problem solving. However, those tests cannot take into account specific skills that are important for eSports, such as:

• Reaction speed – IQ tests rarely test the speed of motor decisions.
• Teamwork – communication and the ability to work in a team are important in eSports.
• Emotional stability – the ability to maintain concentration under pressure.

Despite this, studies show that above-average IQ is often found among successful players.

Is it possible to train IQ to improve gaming skills?

Sure, you can. Here are some methods for increasing intelligence for eSports athletes.

• Solving logical problems (sudoku, chess) develops strategic thinking.
• Reaction speed training (special applications such as Aim Lab, Kovaak’s FPS Trainer).
• Meditation and breathing techniques help improve concentration and stress resistance.

Besides, eSportsmen should make regular breaks in the game to prevent "information overheating", engage in physical activity to improve blood circulation in the brain and MUST sleep at least 7-8 hours for optimal cognitive performance.

Wrap up

High IQ does help in eSports, especially in strategic thinking, analysis, and quick decision-making. However, success depends not only on innate intelligence, but also on regular training, communication skills, and the ability to cope with stress. Developing cognitive abilities can significantly improve gaming results, making eSports players even more successful.