HW3: Chapter 2

                                                             Chapter 2

                                                         DISCUSSION

                            

                             What advantages can mathematical knowledge and statistical applications provide DOTA player?

I. Definitions and applications of mathematical and statistical knowledge in DOTA

    Mathematics is the field of studies that deals with the study of quantities, numbers,equations and computations. This field is applied in things that we always do in our daily lives. This applied in online games, sports, businesses, etc. It is also defined by the School of Mathematics and Statistics as "an academic discipline and a body of knowledge that involves the study of concepts such as quantity, structure, space and change. It is an essential tool in many fields including natural science, engineering, Medicine and Social Science such as Economics and Commerce(http://www.kenyapolytechnic.ac.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158&Itemid=201). 

    On the other hand, statistics is being described as the science which is concerned with making sense out of numbers.Since numerical information plays a vital role in our daily lives, all of us can benefit from some knowledge of statistics. But complex problems call for the service of professional statisticians, most of whom have graduate training in statistics and probability because it is somewhat complicated and it needs too much understanding.

    Statistics are applied in most games and is divided in some categories. In game system, the most common used types of statistics are attributes, which is described as the common characteristics on characters or possession of natural talent; powers, described as the unique special qualities of the character or potential to learn new skills; skills, abilities learned by the character in an area or field; traits, usually defined as scope which is similar to skills but it has broad areas of expertise (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistic_(role-playing_games)). However, mathematical and statistical knowledge applied in DOTA is more complicated and broad.

    Applications of mathematical and statistical knowledge are shown on the mechanics of the game such as the effect and castings of spells and magics, costs of mana and items, estimations of damage, armor and armor blockage and resistances. Buffs and item effects such as damage per seconds, area of effect and others also need applications of mathematical and statistical knowledge in the game.

II. Advantages of mathematical and statistical knowledge to DOTA players

A.   Psychological or Intellectual Advantages

       Psychological or statistical advantages are get all the things that people did and encountered    everyday because people gain learning from these. Dota players get psychological advantages from playing DOTA whenever players play the game such as improvement of critical thinking and strategic planning skills. As they play more often, players can think of strategies fast whenever crucial situations were encountered on the games. DOTA is motivated by mathematics and statistics so that players can learn computations and assumptions which is present in the game mechanics.

       However, Dota players must be mindful also of the psychological disadvantages in playing the game with such complicated computations and probabilities.Knowing the disadvantages would help players to suffer less and to learn what should be learned in the game itself.


B.    Social Advantages

        Whenever players play Dota, everyone knows that strangers are met because they intend to play and befriend these Dota players. Playing Dota will gain players some friends that they can play with whenever they saw each other or maybe at GARENA online. Players can interact and build relationship with other players because they sometimes became part of the same team so cooperation is a must.Fame is also get from these as players get to compete with other teams as social tournaments. With these social advantages, players improve more on interacting with others.(http://ryansales18.blogspot.com/)

III. FACTORS THAT MAKES A PLAYER BE BETTER AT DOTA

A.       High Critical Thinking Skill

           Critical thinking skill is the factor wherein a player cope up with crucial situations in whatever he/she is doing. It makes a player to be better because these skills is used in every games that he/she is playing especially in Dota so that the player can easily solve the situations.

           Good Leadership Skill

           Leadership skill is another factor wherein as a leader of the team, the leader must be good on leading the group on what to do in order to win the game. This skill makes a player be better because being a good leader makes the team to compete even more. A better player with good leadership skill will give strength to the team because there are instances in the game wherein the players of a team need to cooperate with each other and they needed someone to lead them.

           Professional Strategic Planning Skill

           Strategic planning skill is one of the most important factor that a player must have which provoke a professional planner. The strategies of the team must be at professional degree in order for them to win the game for sure. A player with this skill make the team stronger because this player can easily came up with effective strategies whenever there are change in plans and unexpected situation.

           Playing Experiences

           Experiences from past games are also factors to be considered in order to be a good player because experiences help the player to learn from the games that this player have previously. These playing experiences give the player knowledge about different strategies and playing techniques that were projected by some of his/her teammates or opponents in their play game. This also make a player to be more familiar of what usually happens in every game.

           Practice

           Practice is another factor that makes a player be better in playing Dota. It is the factor wherein all these skills were enhanced and developed. Practice is the thing that the player do in order to be more professional at something. This will not make a player be a perfect player because nothing can make a person perfect; but, it only make a player be above others in term of skills and knowledge because the more practice a player has, the more improvement and development is what the player achieve.( http://www.team-dignitas.net/articles/blogs/dota/1421/dota-2-seven-helpful-tips-on-how-to-become-a-better-player/)

IV. Disadvantages of Dota

A.         Waste of time and money

              Dota is waste of time and money because at the of each game, everyone lost their money to pay the rent for the shop. Waste of time for people who don't know and get advantages that Dota provides because instead of studying where they can really learn something, they waste their time in playing that gives them nothing because they don't feel what really is worth of their money.

B.          Harmful to health

              Playing long hours of Dota deprives a person on being active. The players who plays long hours would just burn your butt and seat not calories and fats. Spending too much time playing DOTA will lead to cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, muscular atrophy, visual problems, musculoskeletal problems, decreased immunity, and other diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle. 

C.          Destroys mental and emotional stability

              This game somehow destroys a players mental and emotional stability because swearing and trash talking with other players. bullying the weaker player is always present in this. This game is frustrating and humiliating and players also become irritable and they also forget their priorities in life.

D.         ADDICTIVE

                   If you always play Dota, it means that you are addicted to this game because you always think that if you can't let the day pass without you playing it. It just like one you've started, you can't stop it so easily I tell you because as of my experience, I continue playing Dota since the first time I've played the game. It's also because of the new strategies that you see in every game of some professionals that you've observed and you like to be as good as them so you continue playing to be better. Dota is like illegal drugs but some don't feel the effects of playing this game.(http://ryansales18.blogspot.com/)