Iuri Sivinski Petry, a psychologist with a passion for esports, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his groundbreaking research on the psychological competencies that drive success in Teamfight Tactics (TFT). In an exclusive conversation with Pichau Arena, Petry delved into the details of his work, which has been making waves in the gaming community. With a background in psychology from the University of BrasÃlia (UnB) and a post-graduate degree in sports psychology and neuroscience from PUC do Paraná (PUC-PR), Petry is well-equipped to explore the intricacies of the human mind in the context of competitive gaming.
His scientific article, published on February 28, 2025, marks a significant milestone as the first-ever study on high-performance TFT. Petry’s tweet announcing the publication has generated considerable excitement, with many praising his achievement and recognizing the potential impact of his research on the world of esports. As he rightfully points out, this study paves the way for more effective recruitment, selection, training, and performance evaluation of players and coaches. By applying the principles of psychological competency management, commonly used in organizational settings, Petry aims to create a more nuanced understanding of the skills and traits that distinguish top players from the rest.
Petry chose TFT as the focus of his study due to its rapid growth and ascension in the esports scene. He believes that by utilizing psychological competencies, it’s possible to develop a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of a player’s abilities. This approach, which he refers to as the “perfect formula,” enables the evaluation of athletes in a more systematic and scientific manner. For instance, just as a company might assess an employee’s performance, Petry’s framework allows for the identification of specific strengths and weaknesses in players, providing a more detailed understanding of their capabilities.
However, during his research, Petry encountered a significant challenge: the scarcity of existing studies that delve into the specific psychological competencies required for success in different esports titles. Most previous research has relied on general terms, making it difficult to distinguish between the unique demands of various games. Petry’s goal was to move beyond these broad categorizations and develop a more precise language for describing the psychological skills necessary for high-performance play in TFT and other games.
As he notes, “If I were to list all the psychological competencies for high-performance TFT, I’d be using general terms. But how do I differentiate those from the competencies required for League of Legends (LOL) or Counter Strike?” Petry’s research proposes a more innovative approach, allowing for the description of skills in a concise and actionable manner. By doing so, he hopes to create a more nuanced understanding of the game and provide athletes with a clearer methodology, validation, and scientific foundation for improvement.
Following the publication of his article, Petry aims to establish himself as a leading psychologist in the TFT community, providing more resources and support for players and teams. His work has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach player development, team management, and performance optimization in esports. To learn more about Petry’s research and its implications for the gaming world, readers can access his article in full here.