Every month, the sports digital agency Mailman compiles the most significant news and insights from China’s esports scene, providing valuable analysis on their relevance.
Play Esports, also known as electronic sports, is a highly popular form of competitive gaming facilitated through electronic systems, primarily video games. In the world of esports, players, often referred to as esports athletes, engage in competitive gameplay, either individually or as part of teams, across a wide range of video game genres. These genres encompass real-time strategy, first-person shooter, fighting, and multiplayer online battle arena games.
The global ascent of esports in popularity over the last decade has been nothing short of remarkable, with millions of players and spectators joining in from all corners of the world. But how many countries are actively involved in esports?
According to the International Esports Federation (IESF), there are presently 100 member nations from around the world. These countries boast national esports associations officially recognized by the IESF, and they actively participate in international esports events, such as the IESF World Championships.
However, the actual count of countries where esports is played is likely much higher. This is due to the absence of national esports associations in some countries and the IESF’s limited recognition of esports competitions.
In fact, as per a report from Newzoo, a prominent global provider of games and esports analytics, esports finds a presence in nearly every country on the planet. The report reveals that esports enthusiasts and athletes can be found in countries as diverse as the United States, China, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, France, Russia, and even smaller nations like Malta and Cyprus.
The extensive reach of esports is further underscored by major esports tournaments hosted in various countries worldwide. For instance, the League of Legends World Championship has been held in countries such as the United States, South Korea, China, and France. Similarly, the Dota 2 International has found homes in countries like Germany, the United States, and Canada. Play Esports
The widespread global participation in esports underscores the universal allure of video games and competitive gaming. It is also indicative of the growing recognition of esports as a legitimate form of sport and competition.
In conclusion, while determining the exact count of countries embracing esports may be challenging, it’s safe to affirm that esports stands as a truly global phenomenon. Whether it’s in the vibrant cities of the United States, the high-tech gaming cafes of South Korea, or the remote islands of the Pacific, esports resonates with millions of individuals across the globe.
Sources: International Play Esports Federation, Newzoo, League of Legends World Championship, Dota 2 International.
China Esports Blast: September 2023
Play Esports The Chinese esports industry achieved a significant milestone during the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games last month Play Esports. The Chinese national esports team secured four gold medals in Honor of Kings, Peacekeeper Elite, Dream Three Kingdom, and Dota 2, along with one bronze medal in League of Legends. Beyond this event, several noteworthy partnerships were also announced in September.
One of the key stories in September was Tencent’s media rights deal with China Central Television (CCTV) to broadcast the Hangzhou Asian Games. This partnership allowed Tencent’s platforms, including Tencent Video, Tencent Sports, Tencent News, WeChat, and subsidiary Huya, to co-stream the Hangzhou Asian Games alongside Douyin, Migu, and Kuaishou. This deal is likely to benefit Tencent-related esports titles such as League of Legends, Peacekeeper Elite, Honor of Kings, FIFA Online 4, and Street Fighter V. Notably, gaming platform DouYu was not part of this agreement.
On September 25th, China’s CCTV 5+ channel broadcasted the first Honor of Kings competition – China vs. Thailand. This marked a significant moment for China’s esports industry, as it saw esports returning to China’s state-owned mainstream TV channel after a 19-year hiatus. In 2004, China had imposed a prohibition policy banning esports from mainstream TV channels, and this new deal suggests that the ban has come to an end, paving the way for more esports competitions on China’s mainstream TV channels. Play Esports
In another development, on September 7th, LGD Gaming, a Chinese esports organization, announced the conclusion of its five-year partnership with the French football team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The PSG.LGD brand ceased to exist, and the team reverted to LGD Gaming for its participation in The International 2023 in Seattle, scheduled from October 12th to 29th. PSG, on the other hand, entered into a new partnership with the Qatar-based Dota 2 team Quest Esports on October 5th, competing at The International (TI) 2023 under the name PSG.Quest. Play Esports
The end of the PSG.LGD partnership marked the conclusion of a successful five-year tenure, with the team achieving high placements in Dota 2’s The International tournaments from 2018 to 2021. Despite not securing a TI championship, PSG.LGD established itself as one of the top Dota 2 teams in esports history, amassing over $18 million in prize money from 2018 to 2023 Play Esports.
Additionally, in September, Weibo Gaming (WBG), a Chinese esports organization, entered into a sponsorship deal with hardware brand AORUS. AORUS became WBG’s special partner for the League of Legends World Championship 2023. Play Esports
Smartphone brand OPPO also announced a sponsorship agreement with JingDong Gaming (JDG), making it the official partner during Worlds 2023. Financial details of these sponsorships were not disclosed.
Worlds 2023 will feature four Chinese teams from the League of Legends Pro League (LPL): JDG, WBG, LNG, and Bilibili Gaming (BLG). Expect to see more commercial brands partnering with Chinese League of Legends teams at Worlds 2023 Play Esports.
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