Boosting: Rank and skill deception in esports

Competitive video gaming, collectively known as esports, has surged in popularity over the last decade. The rapid growth in revenue, viewership, players and exposure to date has led to the rise of impropriety in the form of cheating. “Boosting” is a form of cheating whereby high-skilled players access lower-skilled players’ accounts for the purpose of increasing the rank of the account for monetary gain. From esports games such as League of Legends to Overwatch, players are universally ranked based on performance and results-based metrics. The perceived social status of these ranks, along with rank-associated rewards such as in-game cosmetics, ability to enter tournaments and join prestigious teams are significant motivators for one to cheat. This paper reviews and discusses the notable issue of boosting, estimates prevalence and profitability of boosting, its impact on the esports industry and community, and how it is currently being addressed.