THE RELEVANCE OF DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING IN FUTURE CYBERSPORTS SPECIALISTS THROUGH THE STUDY OF THE DISCIPLINE “COMPUTER GAMING THEORY” USING THE CLICKTEAM FUSION 2.5 PROGRAM

The article explores the process of developing critical thinking skills in students specializing in "Esports" through the integration of innovative software, Clickteam Fusion 2.5, into the educational process of the course "Theory of Computer Gaming." The authors justify the relevance of this topic in the context of the rapid growth of esports as a field that demands not only gaming proficiency but also a high level of cognitive competencies—particularly analytical, logical, and strategic thinking. As part of the research, an experiment involving students was conducted, and the results confirmed the effectiveness of using Clickteam Fusion 2.5 for modeling game scenarios, analyzing game mechanics, and making well-reasoned decisions. Based on surveys and expert evaluations, a positive trend in the development of key skills essential for professional esports players was identified. The article concludes with a recommendation to further implement this methodology in educational programs focused on game design, programming, and digital pedagogy.