Re:a test of the theory (Score 1)

This is a far better protocol than the one they used. In fact, I can't find any evidence in the article that they did anything with controls at all. It just says they observed public servers. For all we know, the data could be telling us that people like the color more than blue, and so for slightly more players red is the "first choice" team, leading to stacking effects. Only if players were completely randomized and also made to each play a set time... as well as using your little trick, could we be sure the effect was actually from an in game advantage to red.