Chinese state media calls for an end to ‘chaos’ in esports industry amid Beijing’s tough stance on video games
- At stake is China’s multibillion-dollar esports industry, expected to be worth US$34 billion this year
- Esports players aged 18 are already considered mature because most participants consider retiring from the industry in their early 20s
People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party, has called for an end to “chaos” in the country’s esports industry, ahead of the 2022 Asian Games later this year which will include medal-qualifying esports events.
The article said the question of whether “chaos in the esports industry can be effectively rectified has become a hot topic”, adding that “players sometimes play fake games and manipulate games, while fans fight with each other”.
“If organisers choose to fool the audience by playing fake games in order to generate income through gambling, they will not only be suspected of breaking the law, but will undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the industry,” according to the article, posted Saturday on the official WeChat official account of the People’s Daily commentary department.
“If fans are overly sought after or defend their idols for no reason, it is not good for the growth of the players themselves,” it added.
Hangzhou, the capital of China’s eastern Zhejiang province, will host the 2022 Asian Games in September, becoming the third Chinese city to host the event after Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.
Last November, games’ organisers announced the inclusion of eight esports contests, including PUBG Mobile Asian Games, Arena of Valour Asian Games, Dota 2 and League of Legends. Esports made its debut as a demonstration event in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Beijing has taken a tough stance on the country’s video games industry amid its broader crackdown on the technology sector.