What makes a hero : An investigation of players’ personality and their choice of hero class in a MOBA

Abstract: This study investigates how a player’s personality type might affect a player’s choice of playable character class and, by extension, their playstyle in a MOBA game. 6014 participants completed a survey consisting of questions regarding most played character and their preferred character to play. Following this their personality types were set using the Big-Five personality type model. Results show several interesting correlations between a player’s choice of character class, player motivation, and personality traits. For instance, players most often playing the Support or Warrior hero class tend to score higher on agreeableness. Certain differences between male and female players are also noted.