Model Characteristics of Esports Athletes Based on Digital Footprints in Video Games

Relevance. Esports has evolved from an amateur hobby into a professional sport of global significance. The effectiveness of esports athletes is determined not only by their abilities but also by their capacity to analyze and adapt gaming behavior based on data, which shapes their model characteristics. Modeling, as a leading method of sports training, is aimed at reproducing the patterns of an athlete’s activity for its optimization. In esports, model characteristics are reflected in the format of a digital footprint (rating) directly within the digital environments of video games. The study of the systematization of rating algorithms in video games that are international esports disciplines, as well as of the model characteristics derived from them, is highly relevant. Methods.Analysis of scientific literature and specialized Internet resources (digital footprints in 13 video games), expert survey (n=26), and modeling. Results. The article presents a review of scientific literature devoted to model characteristics in esports, as well as an analysis of scoring systems in video games that are international esports disciplines. Based on interviews with experts and analysis of digital footprint databases in video games, model characteristics of esports athletes were compiled. A systematic analysis of the model characteristics of esports athletes, formed through a comprehensive study of digital footprints generated in the process of gameplay interaction in video games, is presented. Model characteristics of esports athletes of various qualification levels were studied and structured across 13 video games (Dota 2, CS2, League of Legends, Valorant, Standoff 2, Warface, World of Tanks (Steel Hunter), World of Tanks (7x7 Esports), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Rocket League, Tekken 8, FC 24 (sports simulator)) for each stage of sports training. Conclusion. The model characteristics of esports athletes based on digital footprints (ratings) in video games serve as a reference point for modeling training loads at each stage of sports training. The results of this study can become the foundation for sports selection as an important element of athletic preparation.