The Chinese college where students learn by playing video games
Lanxiang Technical School is one of a number of colleges in China now offering courses in e-sports – competitive video gaming
Most teachers would not be impressed to discover a student playing video games in their class. But at a school in eastern China it is mandatory, part of a drive to train e-sports champions and tap into the booming industry.
“Dammit, I’m dead!” exclaims one student at the Lanxiang Technical School in eastern Jinan province as dozens of his classmates who are still in the game continue to furiously bash their keyboards.
Once associated with teenagers stuck in their bedrooms, e-sports – where players square off in lucrative video game tournaments – are growing fast.
Chinese internet research company iResearch estimates 260 million people are already playing e-sports games or watching competitions in the country, with the biggest bouts playing out to thousands of spectators in stadiums and many more online.
The growth shows no signs of slowing. Market research firm Newzoo estimates that the e-sports industry will be worth US$906 million in global revenues in 2018, a 38.2 per cent increase from last year. China alone will account for 18 per cent.