Limerick based Lero and Logitech collaborate on €2.5m Esports project

THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick-based software research centre, Lero, is to collaborate on a new multi-year research project with gaming computer giant Logitech G.

The collaboration will involve the testing of 2,000 top video gamers to better understand how computer gamers train and compete.

Lero and Logitech G have collaborated across a range of studies since 2016 to measure the biomechanical, psychological and cognitive capabilities of professional esports athletes to casual gamers to better understand their needs and innovate products to serve them.

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Logitech gaming innovation engineer, Niall White said “This €2.5 million four-year partnership with Lero builds on previous research projects with Lero, which have yielded positive results and enabled the company to gain an edge in the global video game industry.”

Director of the Esport Science Research Lab at Lero, Professor Mark Campbell, said “We will have to create bespoke software tests to identify and measure key performance indicators of gaming and gamers, and identify and measure the biomarkers of esports and gaming performance.

“This will be achieved through the use of cutting-edge technology such as brain imaging, eye tracking and biosensors,” said Dr Campbell, who is Professor in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Limerick.

Prof. Campbell said the research programme will be of benefit to Ireland’s €500 million gaming industry which employs close to 2,000 people.

The project will involve developing strong PhD students, research assistants and post docs, dedicated to focused research areas across fields such as computer science, psychology, neuroscience and sport science.

The project is set to position Ireland as a leading hub for esports science and gaming innovation on the global stage.