With state-run media and other government agencies describing video games as “spiritual opium”, the new restrictions appear set to deal both short- and long-term damage to the gaming industry in China, with those long-term impacts likely the most painful for professional esports. Trouble is, while local and national governments had been supportive in the past of building up the games industry, competing to host tournaments and even allowing university courses in esports, new rules that took effect on September 1 have restricted anyone under 18 years old to gaming only three hours a week, or one hour per day at 8pm on Fridays through Sundays. With numbers like that, placing bets on a venue like this seemed like a no-brainer several months ago.
Grabbing coffees, doughnuts and sandwiches, a few curious visitors pose for photos with virtual images of pro gamers on a large screen, or watch replays of esports tournaments on another screen from the same padded chairs that gamers often use.Ĭhina is the largest esports market, with over 400 million fans and viewers, according to the most recent numbers cited by state-run news outlet the People’s Daily. Shenzhen, China – A steady lunchtime crowd of twentysomethings mill about the Tim Hortons and Tencent Esports Cafe, a newly opened venue to showcase professional video gaming in the heart of Shenzhen’s tech district of Nanshan.
