Three Group, Razer push forward e-sports expansion in Hong Kong

Three Group, the mobile telecommunications arm of Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison, and popular gaming systems provider Razer on Thursday jointly unveiled the US company’s first concept store in Hong Kong.

The launch of the new RazerStore this Saturday follows the formation last month of a global alliance that targets the estimated two billion electronic game players around the world with specific tariff plans, services and devices.

“This is a great time for gamers, as support of e-sports in Hong Kong is growing tremendously, especially from the Hong Kong government,” Razer co-founder and chief executive Tan Min-liang said at the launch.

The new RazerStore, the company’s sixth worldwide, is located on Cannon Street in the busy Causeway Bay shopping district. Razer’s other shops are in Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, Manila and San Francisco in California.

Three and Razer plan to increase sponsorship and promotion for e-sports, which are multiple-player video game tournaments where professional gamers compete for hefty cash prizes.

The global e-sports market is forecast to grow 41 per cent to US$696 million this year, up from US$493 million last year, according to games industry research service Newzoo. It said global e-sports revenue comprises media rights, advertising, sponsorships, merchandise and tickets, and publisher fees.