Shenzhen aims to become global esports hub by promising cash rewards, subsidies to gamers
- Esports games developed in Shenzhen qualify for 2 million yuan in cash rewards, and can receive 5 million yuan if selected by major gaming competitions
- Shenzhen is home to more than 4,000 video gaming companies, including global leader Tencent Holdings, and they generated 160 billion yuan in sales last year
China’s southern tech hub of Shenzhen has pledged generous subsidies and rewards in an ambitious plan to turn the city into an international esports hub, following similar proposals by Beijing and Shanghai, despite the country’s tightened controls over video gaming and live streaming.
The Shenzhen government laid out a road map for the next five years to strengthen the city’s esports industry by encouraging original esports game development and giving support to teams, tournaments and arenas, according to a draft plan issued by the city’s Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau on Friday. The bureau is soliciting public opinion on the plan through to October 24.
Under the plan, esports games developed and launched in Shenzhen can receive up to 2 million yuan (US$280,000) in cash rewards, depending on their popularity, and qualify for 5 million yuan if selected by major gaming competitions.
“The esports industry is an important part of the development of the digital economy, with enormous market size and high level of technology,” the culture and sports authority said. “Compared to other esports hubs at home and abroad, [Shenzhen] still has obvious shortcomings in terms of a limited value chain, lack of high-level professional clubs and tournaments, and esports venue infrastructure that is lagging behind.”
Shenzhen is home to more than 4,000 video gaming companies, including global leader Tencent Holdings, and they generated 160 billion yuan in sales last year, accounting for over half of the country’s total game revenues, according to the culture and sports bureau. Game for Peace and Honour of Kings, popular mobile games developed by Tencent, have both launched professional teams and tournaments.
Under the five year plan, the city will also invite leading esports companies, teams and tournaments from across the world to come to Shenzhen, enticing them with rewards ranging from 5 million yuan to 8 million yuan.
Local teams will also be cultivated, and those featuring “Shenzhen” in their team name qualify for 2 million yuan in subsidies per season, and 5 million yuan if they perform well in major competitions.