IN about a month, Luo Siyuan and Sun Linwei will be representing China in the e-sports event Arena of Valor at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, located in East China’s Zhejiang Province.

“Nearly 10 years ago we were only fans of niche video games. After years of hard work, we are excited to be on the stage of the Asian Games. I hope more people can witness the vitality of China’s e-sports,” said Luo, a player from the e-sports club eStar.

E-sports, including “Arena of Valor Asian Games Version” and “League of Legends,” will be an officially recognized medal sport for the first time in the upcoming 19th Asian Games, scheduled from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. Participants will compete for seven gold medals in the e-sports category.

“The Asian Games in Hangzhou provides a tremendous opportunity for China, and Asia as a whole, to foster the growth of the e-sports industry. It instills a sense of confidence in the industry’s sustainability,” said Mario Ho, chairman and CEO of NIP Group, which owns eStar.

E-sports made its debut as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, where Chinese teams secured two gold medals and one silver.

China’s e-sports industry is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 488 million e-sports gamers in the country as of 2022. The country leads globally in terms of industry output value, development speed, and audience numbers, solidifying its position as the world’s largest e-sports market.

“E-sports has emerged as a popular competition track within the digital sports industry,” stated Huang Chuxin, director of the New Media Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

As a crucial component of China’s continuously expanding digital economy, the e-sports industry is injecting new energy into consumption growth, noted Huang.

To further support the long-term development of the industry, China has consistently provided backing through educational, research, and policy initiatives.

In 2015, the General Administration of Sport of China issued interim regulations for the management of e-sports events, outlining policies and norms for industry development.

In 2019, “e-sports operator” and “e-sports player” officially gained recognition as two new professions in China.

To cater to the demand for professionals, the Ministry of Education in China has introduced e-sports as a major discipline in universities. Presently, 65 colleges, including the Communication University of China based in Beijing, offer courses related to e-sports.

In April of this year, Shanghai witnessed the inauguration of a research institute dedicated to China’s e-sports industry. This establishment holds immense promise for enhancing the research capabilities and service offerings of the nation’s e-sports sector.

With the aim of becoming global leaders, numerous Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Guangzhou, have recently implemented favorable policies to propel the growth of the e-sports industry. Professor Hu Gang, an expert in public administration at Jinan University, emphasized that cities are embracing e-sports due to their optimism regarding the economic opportunities it presents. They recognize the tremendous potential of the industry, buoyed by a massive e-sports market and a substantial user base.

In addition to economic gains, the e-sports sector is also making significant contributions to cultural exchange and promotion. This was exemplified earlier this year when the heroes from the popular game “Honor of Kings” featured in a parade at the Universal Beijing Resort. By incorporating Chinese e-sports culture with contemporary cultural icons, the event successfully appealed to local young consumers.

Zhao Lin, the senior vice president of marketing and sales at Universal Beijing Resort, expressed his delight at the inclusion of these elements, highlighting its resonance with the target demographic.

The emerging trend of incorporating game intellectual properties (IPs) into offline events aligns with the current wave of cultural tourism. By seamlessly blending e-sports with local culture, this innovative approach enhances the overall experience of visitors. Zhao added that this endeavor taps into the immense potential of offline events with local cultural appeal to captivate audiences.(Xinhua)