Player perceptions of video game character soundprints in MOBA games

The study analyses the sound design of Blink abilities in League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm, identifying three sound categories: Characteristic, Function, and Magical. A survey of 85 respondents evaluated how well these sounds conveyed movement. Magical Sounds were most effective, while Function Sounds had the most varied perception. League of Legends emphasized Magical Sounds, Dota 2 leaned toward Function Sounds, and Heroes of the Storm had a balanced mix. Results suggest player perception is subjective, and stylistic choices shape sound design. Limitations include response bias and category ambiguity. Future research could refine sound classification and its impact on gameplay.