China made history by claiming the first gold medal in esports at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The host nation emerged victorious in the smartphone multiplayer battle game “Arena of Valor,” delighting fans in the world’s largest esports market.
Esports, the competitive world of video gaming with substantial prize money, is making its debut as a medal event at this edition of the Asian Games. This move reflects the gaming sector’s persistent efforts to gain recognition and inclusion in the Olympics.
Teams and individuals are vying for seven gold medals across various titles, including online soccer and multiplayer battle arena games. Inside the state-of-the-art esports venue, organizers created an electrifying atmosphere with vibrant lights, ear-splitting music, and live commentary, resembling scenes from a futuristic dystopian movie.
As the Chinese team was introduced, several thousand fans waved multi-colored light sticks and cheered enthusiastically. The atmosphere was electric as the players shouted, “China must win!” before the “Arena of Valor” final began.
In this version of “Arena of Valor,” a smartphone game developed by a Tencent subsidiary, teams of five players select characters, referred to as “heroes,” to navigate the virtual world and collaborate to destroy their opponent’s base. A destroyed base represents a set won, and two sets secure victory in the best-of-three contest.
Players furiously tapped on their phones while millions of fans watched at home, and they communicated via headsets as their in-game heroes engaged in intense battles displayed on large screens above the stage. This spectacle may appear unusual to traditional sports enthusiasts.
China dominated the “Arena of Valor” final, securing a 2-0 win against Malaysia, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
Thailand had previously claimed the first esports medal of the Games by defeating Vietnam for the bronze.
Many fans expressed their excitement and pride in seeing esports recognized on such a prestigious stage. One spectator, Yvonne Yu, who has played the game for seven years, remarked, “I am so touched and very proud, especially when I see the esports project being recognized on such a stage.”
While some social media users raised concerns about esports’ inclusion in the Games, others celebrated this milestone. The state broadcaster, CCTV, provided coverage of the match, marking a historic moment for esports, despite recent government restrictions on gaming.
China’s stance on gaming remains somewhat ambiguous. The government has imposed limits on smartphone usage for children under 18, while other departments have expressed support for esports. The establishment of a National E-sports Development Research Institute and significant investments in esports infrastructure demonstrate China’s recognition of esports’ potential to contribute to the digital economy.
China boasts the world’s largest esports market in terms of revenue and fans. In 2022, the market generated $445 million, accounting for 64.8% of the Asian esports market. China also boasts 400 million esports fans, the highest number globally.
For esports, the next goal is achieving Olympic recognition. Players and managers are making a compelling case, highlighting the physical and mental demands of esports and its potential to join other unconventional sports in the Olympic program.
Wong Kang Woon, Team Manager of Malaysia’s esports team, stated, “Even skateboarding, breakdancing, rock climbing are in the Olympics, so why not esports? Esports players are not just sitting on the chair. They even sweat. You can check on their heartbeat. There is sports science involved. We cannot be putting esports into a negative mindset. We need to move into a positive way. Every sport, even football, starts from gaming, starts from fun, and then evolves into high-performance sport. Esports in the future will be heading in that direction.”
