https://www.scmp.com/rss/328621/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Former Hong Kong E-Prix champion Felix Rosenqvist was hospitalised overnight following a wall-smashing crash on Saturday early in the IndyCar race on Belle Isle. Arrow McLaren SP said Oliver Askew will replace Rosenqvist in Sunday’s race. Askew made 12 starts for the team last year but was replaced by Rosenqvist after the season. The throttle appeared to stick in Rosenqvist’s car as he entered the sixth turn at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park. With no way to stop or slow his car, the Swede... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3137133/hong-kong-e-prix-winner-felix-rosenqvist-hospitalised-after-horror?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3137133/hong-kong-e-prix-winner-felix-rosenqvist-hospitalised-after-horror?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 06:20:05 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS If I ask you to picture a clubhouse in an apartment building, a plain room with a few chairs might come to mind. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll picture a gym or swimming pool. But in Hong Kong, the world’s most expensive housing market, residential clubhouses are nothing but ordinary. In a city where the average family needs to save for more than 20 years to afford a home, property developers are resorting to various high-tech gimmicks to entice buyers... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3088517/included-your-next-apartment-vr-pods-and-esports-arenas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3088517/included-your-next-apartment-vr-pods-and-esports-arenas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:12 +0000 If I ask you to picture a clubhouse in an apartment building, a plain room with a few chairs might come to mind. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll picture a gym or swimming pool. But in Hong Kong, the world’s most expensive housing market, residential clubhouses are nothing but ordinary. In a city where the average family needs to save for more than 20 years to afford a home, property developers are resorting to various high-tech gimmicks to entice buyers to part with their life savings. Cue The... https://www.scmp.com/culture/included-your-next-apartment-vr-pods-and-esports-arenas/article/3087689?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/included-your-next-apartment-vr-pods-and-esports-arenas/article/3087689?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:09 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS At 23 years old, China’s most famous esports player says he can no longer play because of poor health. Uzi, the Shaquille O'Neal of Chinese esports In a post on microblogging site Weibo, Uzi said that he has decided to retire after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year. The condition is a result of constant stress, obesity, an irregular diet and staying up late, he said. “My physical condition doesn’t allow me to keep fighting,” Uzi said in... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087444/chinese-esports-superstar-uzi-announces-retirement-age-23?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087444/chinese-esports-superstar-uzi-announces-retirement-age-23?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:00:19 +0000 At 23 years old, China’s most famous esports player says he can no longer play because of poor health.   In a post on microblogging site Weibo, Uzi said that he has decided to retire after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year. The condition is a result of constant stress, obesity, an irregular diet and staying up late, he said. “My physical condition doesn’t allow me to keep fighting,” Uzi said in the post. He cited shoulder pain, which has troubled him for years and prompted him to... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinese-esports-superstar-uzi-announces-retirement-age-23/article/3087357?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinese-esports-superstar-uzi-announces-retirement-age-23/article/3087357?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:00:16 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS It’s been three years since Google’s AlphaGo marked a new era in artificial intelligence by beating champion Lee Sedol in Go, an ancient Chinese board game. Now AI is moving on to video games as players of China's most popular title recently found out. Honor of Kings is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) mobile game inspired by League of Legends. The fantasy role playing game, known internationally as Arena of Valor, has 70 million daily active... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3083018/players-chinas-most-popular-game-are-training-tencents-ai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3083018/players-chinas-most-popular-game-are-training-tencents-ai?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 21:00:11 +0000 It’s been three years since Google’s AlphaGo marked a new era in artificial intelligence by beating champion Lee Sedol in Go, an ancient Chinese board game. Now AI is moving on to video games as players of China's most popular title recently found out. Honor of Kings is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) mobile game inspired by League of Legends. The fantasy role playing game, known internationally as Arena of Valor, has 70 million daily active users. It also has an AI player called... https://www.scmp.com/games/players-chinas-most-popular-game-are-training-tencents-ai/article/3082890?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/players-chinas-most-popular-game-are-training-tencents-ai/article/3082890?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 21:00:08 +0000 Chinese authorities may be spurred to clamp down on video games which can be used by players as platforms for politically sensitive content, following incidents involving popular titles from Nintendo and Seasun Games. “Regulations on gaming are bound to be more strict and more detailed,” said Ding Daoshi, director of research at internet consultancy Sootoo in Beijing, based on recent controversy over content posted by players on Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Seasun’s... https://www.scmp.com/games/china-may-crack-down-game-content-after-politically-sensitive-incidents/article/3080412?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/china-may-crack-down-game-content-after-politically-sensitive-incidents/article/3080412?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2020 21:00:10 +0000 Tencent Holdings Ltd. has taken one of its top-earning titles to scores of new countries from Russia to the Middle East, at a time the Covid-19 pandemic is fueling an unprecedented global gaming boom. The Chinese internet giant introduced Arena of Valor to 67 new markets on top of an existing 82, sharply expanding its footprint by launching in emerging markets. It hopes to draw new players to one of its longest-running and most profitable franchises, known in its home country as Honor of Kings,... https://www.scmp.com/games/arena-valor-going-global-tencent-pushes-game-67-new-markets/article/3080455?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/arena-valor-going-global-tencent-pushes-game-67-new-markets/article/3080455?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2020 12:47:05 +0000 The coronavirus pandemic now sweeping the world is forcing more entertainment venues and sports teams to go online, changing the face of these pursuits forever, according to gaming hardware maker Razer. Although the company faced some supply chain issues at the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak in China, it is now firing on all cylinders again producing more live-streaming gear to meet increased demand from consumers and businesses, said Razer chief executive and co-founder Min-Liang Tan in an... https://www.scmp.com/tech/razer-wants-use-gaming-experience-help-businesses-live-streaming/article/3077282?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/razer-wants-use-gaming-experience-help-businesses-live-streaming/article/3077282?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2020 11:14:47 +0000 Chaos Esports Club released their entire roster Wednesday in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. CEO Greg Laird cited the pandemic and the suspension of the 2019-20 Dota Pro Circuit as a prime reasons for the move.   “This is not a decision we made lightly, but during these uncertain times and with the DPC circuit suspended it is impossible for us to justify the cost of a Dota 2 team at this time,” Laird said in a statement. “The world is an unprecedented situation and it is necessary for us... https://www.scmp.com/games/dota-pro-circuit-suspended-one-esports-team-releases-entire-roster/article/3077143?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/dota-pro-circuit-suspended-one-esports-team-releases-entire-roster/article/3077143?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:00:26 +0000 The Drone Racing League (DRL) is taking off in more ways than one as the coronavirus pandemic brings most other sport to a standstill around the world. The New York-based robotic racing series that straddles the blurry line between real and virtual, with a global audience of millions, has seen viewing figures soar as countries have gone into lockdown. DRL founder and CEO Nicholas Horbaczewski said Chinese viewership of the 2019 season had reached around seven million -- up 70% on 2018. “We... https://www.scmp.com/tech/drone-racing-viewer-numbers-fly-high-amid-covid-19-pandemic/article/3076909?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/drone-racing-viewer-numbers-fly-high-amid-covid-19-pandemic/article/3076909?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2020 09:25:37 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The League of Legends Pro League (LPL) is big business in China, where it has hundreds of millions of fans and many high-profile sponsors. After a nearly two-months-long delay, the popular esports league recently started its spring split online. But now all players and game casters are wearing masks, which they’re required to do in game rooms and in broadcast studios. Like the NFL or NBA, the LPL has a franchise-based system with home and away games,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3074899/esports-matches-resume-china-masked-players-and-casters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3074899/esports-matches-resume-china-masked-players-and-casters?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2020 07:54:58 +0000 The League of Legends Pro League (LPL) is big business in China, where it has hundreds of millions of fans and many high-profile sponsors. After a nearly two-months-long delay, the popular esports league recently started its spring split online. But now all players and game casters are wearing masks, which they’re required to do in game rooms and in broadcast studios. Like the NFL or NBA, the LPL has a franchise-based system with home and away games, where hundreds of fans can show up to cheer... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/esports-matches-resume-china-masked-players-and-casters/article/3074875?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/esports-matches-resume-china-masked-players-and-casters/article/3074875?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2020 07:54:57 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Esports tournaments can typically draw thousands of spectators into sports arenas, but the coronavirus has forced some of China’s biggest gaming events to either postpone or relocate. But at least one league is still determined to charge ahead: Organizers say they’re moving the King Pro League (KPL) and its Global Tour online. KPL is China’s top professional competition for Tencent’s mobile blockbuster Honor of Kings, known elsewhere as Arena of Valor.... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3051191/coronavirus-moves-major-chinese-esports-tournament-stadium?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3051191/coronavirus-moves-major-chinese-esports-tournament-stadium?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2020 10:31:42 +0000 Esports tournaments can typically draw thousands of spectators into sports arenas, but the coronavirus has forced some of China’s biggest gaming events to either postpone or relocate. But at least one league is still determined to charge ahead: Organizers say they’re moving the King Pro League (KPL) and its Global Tour online. KPL is China’s top professional competition for Tencent’s mobile blockbuster Honor of Kings, known elsewhere as Arena of Valor. Game tournaments already attract huge... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/coronavirus-moves-major-chinese-esports-tournament-stadium-virtual-space/article/3051155?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/coronavirus-moves-major-chinese-esports-tournament-stadium-virtual-space/article/3051155?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2020 10:31:41 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS While China’s general public is gaming a lot more recently as the novel coronavirus keeps people at home, esports professionals who have to play in public arenas are seeing league games and tournaments being postponed and canceled. Tencent said that esports leagues for PUBG, League of Legends, CrossFire and CrossFire Mobile have decided that games scheduled in February are postponed, citing public health threats. Overwatch League also announced that... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3048454/coronavirus-fears-lead-pubg-and-overwatch-leagues-reschedule?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3048454/coronavirus-fears-lead-pubg-and-overwatch-leagues-reschedule?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Jan 2020 10:48:46 +0000 While China’s general public is gaming a lot more recently as the novel coronavirus keeps people at home, esports professionals who have to play in public arenas are seeing league games and tournaments being postponed and canceled. Tencent said that esports leagues for PUBG, League of Legends, CrossFire and CrossFire Mobile have decided that games scheduled in February are postponed, citing public health threats. Overwatch League also announced that matches in China are canceled through at least... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/coronavirus-fears-lead-pubg-and-overwatch-leagues-reschedule-china-games/article/3048427?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/coronavirus-fears-lead-pubg-and-overwatch-leagues-reschedule-china-games/article/3048427?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Jan 2020 10:48:44 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS China is shutting down attractions left and right to stave off the spread of a deadly new coronavirus. Cinemas and shopping malls across the country have already closed, and now esports is taking a hit with the country’s biggest esports league postponing its spring games. Both the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) and its development league are postponing many of their games, Tencent announced this week. The spring split of the LPL just kicked off in... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3047786/china-postpones-its-biggest-esports-tournament-over-wuhan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3047786/china-postpones-its-biggest-esports-tournament-over-wuhan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jan 2020 08:48:27 +0000 China is shutting down attractions left and right to stave off the spread of a deadly new coronavirus. Cinemas and shopping malls across the country have already closed, and now esports is taking a hit with the country’s biggest esports league postponing its spring games. Both the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) and its development league are postponing many of their games, Tencent announced this week. The spring split of the LPL just kicked off in mid-January, but Tencent said that games... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/china-postpones-its-biggest-esports-tournament-over-wuhan-coronavirus/article/3047759?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/china-postpones-its-biggest-esports-tournament-over-wuhan-coronavirus/article/3047759?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jan 2020 08:48:26 +0000 After playing her final card, Li Xiaomeng watched the avatar of her opponent, Brian “Bloodyface” Eason, explode. “Go, Liooon!” Li’s supporters cried out, cheering her on by her screen name, raising placards and waving a big red Chinese national flag fervently. Lights illuminated the stage. Victory was Li’s with a streak of three to nil. The 23-year-old girl from Xinjiang, a remote region in Northwestern China, removed her headphones, walked toward the center of the stage and shook hands with her... https://www.scmp.com/games/women-china-are-making-waves-esports-still-face-discrimination/article/3046168?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/women-china-are-making-waves-esports-still-face-discrimination/article/3046168?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jan 2020 08:45:40 +0000 Wang Sicong, the high-profile son of one of China’s richest men and the chairman of private equity company Prometheus Capital, has reached a settlement with more than 10 creditors of Shanghai Panda Entertainment, a company he founded in 2015 that went bankrupt in March.   Wang and Prometheus Capital had compensated the investors, shouldering losses that amounted to nearly 2 billion yuan (US$285 million), Prometheus Capital said in a statement on its website on Thursday. “In the past few years,... https://www.scmp.com/games/billionaire-heir-and-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-reaches-deal-creditors/article/3043605?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/billionaire-heir-and-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-reaches-deal-creditors/article/3043605?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Dec 2019 06:47:12 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS A new international governing body for esports called the Global Esports Federation (GEF) has just launched in Singapore with backing from Chinese internet giant Tencent. The organization said it will stage the annual Global Esports Games. The first event is expected to be held in China at the end of next year. Besides putting many industry heavyweights on its board, the organization also enlisted Tencent as its founding global partner. Tencent likens... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3042495/esports-gets-its-own-fifa-singapore-tencents-backing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3042495/esports-gets-its-own-fifa-singapore-tencents-backing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:04:10 +0000 A new international governing body for esports called the Global Esports Federation (GEF) has just launched in Singapore with backing from Chinese internet giant Tencent. The organization said it will stage the annual Global Esports Games. The first event is expected to be held in China at the end of next year. Besides putting many industry heavyweights on its board, the organization also enlisted Tencent as its founding global partner. Tencent likens the organization to FIFA, but for esports... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/esports-gets-its-own-fifa-singapore-tencents-backing/article/3042418?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/esports-gets-its-own-fifa-singapore-tencents-backing/article/3042418?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:04:09 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan is a terrible boss -- at least according to 14 former employees interviewed by Kotaku. In a report about the gaming hardware company, staff described a culture of fear and “dictatorship.” Tan was accused of yelling at employees, public shaming, throwing objects and even threats to punch an employee in the face, according to some of the workers, most of whom preferred to stay anonymous.  Razer, which employs about 1,300 people... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3040980/razer-ceo-accused-threatening-and-publicly-shaming-employees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3040980/razer-ceo-accused-threatening-and-publicly-shaming-employees?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Dec 2019 10:02:45 +0000 Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan is a terrible boss -- at least according to 14 former employees interviewed by Kotaku. In a report about the gaming hardware company, staff described a culture of fear and “dictatorship.” Tan was accused of yelling at employees, public shaming, throwing objects and even threats to punch an employee in the face, according to some of the workers, most of whom preferred to stay anonymous.  Razer, which employs about 1,300 people across the world, was also accused of unfair... https://www.scmp.com/culture/razer-ceo-accused-threatening-and-publicly-shaming-employees/article/3040876?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/razer-ceo-accused-threatening-and-publicly-shaming-employees/article/3040876?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Dec 2019 10:02:44 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Wang Sicong, the Chinese billionaire’s son who famously gifted his dog eight iPhones, was once touted as China’s “most eligible bachelor.” But lately, the 31-year-old entrepreneur has accumulated so much debt that he’s been hit with spending restriction orders multiple times. The main culprit? His failed esports streaming service. Wang Sicong: China’s “richest son” is also a leading esports investor In recent weeks, Wang was placed on the country’s list... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3040002/how-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-wound-massive-debt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3040002/how-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-wound-massive-debt?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Nov 2019 13:00:09 +0000 Wang Sicong, the Chinese billionaire’s son who famously gifted his dog eight iPhones, was once touted as China’s “most eligible bachelor.” But lately, the 31-year-old entrepreneur has accumulated so much debt that he’s been hit with spending restriction orders multiple times. The main culprit? His failed esports streaming service.   In recent weeks, Wang was placed on the country’s list of “discredited individuals” by a Beijing court for owing 151 million yuan (US$21.4 million). The list comes... https://www.scmp.com/tech/how-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-wound-massive-debt/article/3039994?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/how-founder-high-flying-game-streaming-site-wound-massive-debt/article/3039994?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Nov 2019 13:00:07 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS They were tech titans, the heads of three much-hyped companies. But now they can’t even book a flight or travel on a high-speed train. Luo Yonghao, the flamboyant founder of smartphone company Smartisan, joined the ranks of blacklisted tech leaders, barring him from certain things considered luxuries. He joins Dai Wei, founder of bike-sharing company Ofo, and Jia Yueting, founder of crumbling entertainment empire LeEco, along with China’s nearly 15... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3037288/they-founded-three-hot-tech-companies-now-theyre-country-wide-blacklist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3037288/they-founded-three-hot-tech-companies-now-theyre-country-wide-blacklist?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2019 02:00:12 +0000 They were tech titans, the heads of three much-hyped companies. But now they can’t even book a flight or travel on a high-speed train. Luo Yonghao, the flamboyant founder of smartphone company Smartisan, joined the ranks of blacklisted tech leaders, barring him from certain things considered luxuries. He joins Dai Wei, founder of bike-sharing company Ofo, and Jia Yueting, founder of crumbling entertainment empire LeEco, along with China’s nearly 15 million other “discredited... https://www.scmp.com/tech/they-founded-three-hot-tech-companies-now-theyre-country-wide-blacklist/article/3036934?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/they-founded-three-hot-tech-companies-now-theyre-country-wide-blacklist/article/3036934?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2019 02:00:10 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS An estimated 104 million fans in China and 3.7 million overseas fans watched China get crowned king in League of Legends this year when FunPlus Phoenix swept European team G2 in three championship games, according to analytics firm Esports Charts. While more than 100 million people streaming an esports tournament might sound like an incredible number, it’s half the number of viewers from last year’s final, when Invictus Gaming became the first Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3037266/100-million-watched-china-win-second-league-legends-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3037266/100-million-watched-china-win-second-league-legends-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:38:11 +0000 An estimated 104 million fans in China and 3.7 million overseas fans watched China get crowned king in League of Legends this year when FunPlus Phoenix swept European team G2 in three championship games, according to analytics firm Esports Charts. While more than 100 million people streaming an esports tournament might sound like an incredible number, it’s half the number of viewers from last year’s final, when Invictus Gaming became the first Chinese team to qualify and win the League of... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/100-million-watched-china-win-second-league-legends-championship/article/3037180?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/100-million-watched-china-win-second-league-legends-championship/article/3037180?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:38:10 +0000 Chinese video gamers crushed a team from Europe on Sunday who were hoping to break the domination of Asian players in the world championship finals of online game “League of Legends.”   With more than $1 million up for grabs, China’s FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) swept the tournament, beating Europe’s G2 Esports in all three games before a crowd of over 15,000 fans in Paris. The game, developed 10 years ago by Los Angeles-based Riot Games, sees teams of players face off in a virtual battle arena with... https://www.scmp.com/games/chinese-team-sweeps-league-legends-tournament-dashing-european-hopes/article/3037181?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/chinese-team-sweeps-league-legends-tournament-dashing-european-hopes/article/3037181?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Nov 2019 08:49:06 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS With protests outside and many more watching closely online, Blizzard’s biggest annual event saw the company walk a careful tightrope. On the one hand, there are American fans who accuse the company of pandering to China by punishing an esports player for shouting a Hong Kong protest slogan. And on the other there’s China, the world’s biggest gaming market, which cheered Blizzard’s punishment and subsequent statement to “firmly safeguard national... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3036304/chinese-gamers-think-blizzard-supports-them-after-vague-apology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3036304/chinese-gamers-think-blizzard-supports-them-after-vague-apology?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:51:37 +0000 With protests outside and many more watching closely online, Blizzard’s biggest annual event saw the company walk a careful tightrope. On the one hand, there are American fans who accuse the company of pandering to China by punishing an esports player for shouting a Hong Kong protest slogan. And on the other there’s China, the world’s biggest gaming market, which cheered Blizzard’s punishment and subsequent statement to “firmly safeguard national dignity.” Blizzard president J. Allen Brack... https://www.scmp.com/games/chinese-gamers-think-blizzard-supports-them-after-vague-apology/article/3036258?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/chinese-gamers-think-blizzard-supports-them-after-vague-apology/article/3036258?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:51:35 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS How do you hold your mouse? Do you use the palm, fingertip or claw grip? You might not have ever considered those questions. You might not even realize that there’s more than one way to hold a mouse. But it’s something mouse designers think about before they even get to the drawing board. Razer grappled with this question when building its newest gaming mouse, the Viper. And there’s also a more fundamental challenge to tackle. Razer wants to position... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3034031/making-mouse-why-razer-thinks-gamers-need-us80-mouse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3034031/making-mouse-why-razer-thinks-gamers-need-us80-mouse?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:00:27 +0000 How do you hold your mouse? Do you use the palm, fingertip or claw grip? You might not have ever considered those questions. You might not even realize that there’s more than one way to hold a mouse. But it’s something mouse designers think about before they even get to the drawing board. Razer grappled with this question when building its newest gaming mouse, the Viper. And there’s also a more fundamental challenge to tackle. Razer wants to position itself as the Nike of esports. It wants to... https://www.scmp.com/tech/making-mouse-why-razer-thinks-gamers-need-us80-mouse/article/3031836?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/making-mouse-why-razer-thinks-gamers-need-us80-mouse/article/3031836?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:00:25 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS One of the world’s biggest games is about to get even bigger. But just because League of Legends is coming to smartphones doesn’t mean it’s going to be exactly the same as the PC version, and players are going to have to adjust. How do we know? Because League of Legends is late to the party. Similar MOBA games are already huge on smartphones in China and Southeast Asia, and they offer crucial clues to how League of Legends: Wild Rift is going to be... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3033653/how-smartphones-are-going-change-league-legends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3033653/how-smartphones-are-going-change-league-legends?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:23:44 +0000 One of the world’s biggest games is about to get even bigger. But just because League of Legends is coming to smartphones doesn’t mean it’s going to be exactly the same as the PC version, and players are going to have to adjust. How do we know? Because League of Legends is late to the party. Similar MOBA games are already huge on smartphones in China and Southeast Asia, and they offer crucial clues to how League of Legends: Wild Rift is going to be different to the PC original.   Commentator... https://www.scmp.com/games/how-smartphones-are-going-change-league-legends/article/3033306?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/how-smartphones-are-going-change-league-legends/article/3033306?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Oct 2019 15:23:43 +0000 Blizzard makes some of the most popular games in the world. The American company behind World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Starcraft has a huge global following, most notably in China, one of the biggest gaming markets in the world. But now it finds itself caught in the middle of a controversy, under fire at home for appeasing one of its biggest markets abroad. How popular are Blizzard’s games in China? When the company launched WoW Classic -- an old build of the game -- it saw 1 million Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3222375/us-gamers-call-boycott-blizzard-has-huge-fanbase-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3222375/us-gamers-call-boycott-blizzard-has-huge-fanbase-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Oct 2019 15:34:20 +0000 Blizzard makes some of the most popular games in the world. The American company behind World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Starcraft has a huge global following, most notably in China, one of the biggest gaming markets in the world. But now it finds itself caught in the middle of a controversy, under fire at home for appeasing one of its biggest markets abroad. How popular are Blizzard’s games in China? When the company launched WoW Classic -- an old build of the game -- it saw 1 million Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/games/us-gamers-call-boycott-blizzard-has-huge-fanbase-china/article/3032582?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/us-gamers-call-boycott-blizzard-has-huge-fanbase-china/article/3032582?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Oct 2019 15:34:20 +0000 If you’ve ever wondered why mobile games keep pestering players to buy stuff, here’s why. PUBG Mobile, developed by Tencent, has now pulled in more than US$1 billion in revenue, according to Sensor Tower. In August alone, the game made US$160 million, a 540% increase over last year.    Part of that massive jump is down to the Chinese variant, called Game for Peace. The original PUBG Mobile wasn’t allowed to make money from players in China. But when Tencent replaced it with Game for Peace --... https://www.scmp.com/games/how-pubg-mobile-became-billion-dollar-game/article/3030297?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/games/how-pubg-mobile-became-billion-dollar-game/article/3030297?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Sep 2019 16:49:56 +0000 Earlier this year, Nike partnered with China’s most popular esports league -- the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). Now the American apparel giant has unveiled the official jerseys it made for LPL teams. League of Legends has a huge following in China. Last year’s League of Legends World Championship attracted more viewers in China than the Super Bowl did in the US. So it makes sense that Nike wants to be part of the esports-mania currently sweeping China.  The LPL has grown over the years to... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/nike-unveils-team-uniforms-chinas-league-legends-pro-league/article/3026282?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/nike-unveils-team-uniforms-chinas-league-legends-pro-league/article/3026282?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:54:41 +0000 Sweden’s MTG AB surged after its portfolio company ESL, the world’s largest esports company, said it is partnering with Tencent Holdings Ltd.-backed streaming platform Huya Inc. to expand in the Chinese market for competitive gaming.   ESL’s majority owner MTG AB has entered into a binding term sheet with Huya, and plans to form a joint venture with the Chinese company. Huya will also buy $30 million worth of shares in the company, in a deal that will see ESL issue new $22 million in new shares... https://www.scmp.com/esports/huya-expands-gaming-investing-swedish-esports-company/article/3025527?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/esports/huya-expands-gaming-investing-swedish-esports-company/article/3025527?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Sep 2019 11:42:02 +0000 You might think US$2,000 is a bit much for an esports tournament, but that’s the going price for scalped tickets to The International 2019 (TI9) in Shanghai. The Dota 2 tournament has the largest prize pool of any esports tournament in the world. The pool, which is largely crowdfunded, currently sits at about US$34 million.  That’s one reason fans are now frustrated by the sky-high cost of trying to attend the event. Tickets to TI9 initially sold out online in less than a minute, so fans have... https://www.scmp.com/esports/esports-tournament-tickets-are-going-2000-fans-say-seats-are-empty/article/3024111?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/esports/esports-tournament-tickets-are-going-2000-fans-say-seats-are-empty/article/3024111?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Aug 2019 14:58:48 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Hong Kong has been trying to set itself up as a world-class esports destination, but the fallout from the city’s anti-government protests are hitting the industry. Capcom announced on Tuesday that it canceled its premier Street Fighter V tournament in Hong Kong. One of the stops of this year’s Capcom Pro Tour was scheduled to be at Esports Festival Hong Kong later this month. Capcom says it removed the stop from the tour because of the city’s “civic... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3029522/hong-kong-protests-lead-cancellation-street-fighter-v-esports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/games/article/3029522/hong-kong-protests-lead-cancellation-street-fighter-v-esports?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:40:07 +0000 Hong Kong has been trying to set itself up as a world-class esports destination, but the fallout from the city’s anti-government protests are hitting the industry. Capcom announced on Tuesday that it canceled its premier Street Fighter V tournament in Hong Kong. One of the stops of this year’s Capcom Pro Tour was scheduled to be at Esports Festival Hong Kong later this month. Capcom says it removed the stop from the tour because of the city’s “civic unrest,” which has grown more violent in... https://www.scmp.com/esports/hong-kong-protests-lead-cancellation-street-fighter-v-esports-tournament/article/3021979?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/esports/hong-kong-protests-lead-cancellation-street-fighter-v-esports-tournament/article/3021979?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2019 11:40:07 +0000 Gaming is serious business, as any esports team could tell you. That’s why expansion is important, and why the largest esports teams in the world are now taking a hard look at China. The world’s second most valuable esports club, Team SoloMid (TSM), said that it will develop a base in China by 2020. The announcement comes just a month after the third most valuable team, Team Liquid, signed a partnership with Huya, a Chinese game streaming site likened to Twitch. TSM has “major plans in 2020 to... https://www.scmp.com/esports/esports-clubs-are-teaming-twitch-streaming-sites-enter-china/article/3018191?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/esports/esports-clubs-are-teaming-twitch-streaming-sites-enter-china/article/3018191?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:48:55 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Gaming is serious business, as any esports team could tell you. That’s why expansion is important, and why the largest esports teams in the world are now taking a hard look at China. The world’s second most valuable esports club, Team SoloMid (TSM), said that it will develop a base in China by 2020. The announcement comes just a month after the third most valuable team, Team Liquid, signed a partnership with Huya, a Chinese game streaming site likened... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029473/esports-clubs-are-teaming-twitch-streaming-sites-enter-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029473/esports-clubs-are-teaming-twitch-streaming-sites-enter-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jul 2019 13:48:55 +0000 As the NBA 2K League continues its second season, one thing has emerged as a selling point for fans: watching the gamers trash talk. The league, which features teams officially linked to NBA franchises, has squads of five players playing the latest version of NBA 2K against each other. Much like the NBA, teams have rosters, positions and even coaches. Games are streamed live out of New York in tournament style formats via Twitch and YouTube. Jin Choe, who plays small forward for the Warriors... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3011468/last-year-i-trash-talked-pretty-much-every-game-korean-american?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3011468/last-year-i-trash-talked-pretty-much-every-game-korean-american?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 May 2019 04:32:18 +0000