Each month, sports digital agency Mailman shares the biggest industry news and insights from China’s esports scene, along with expert analysis on why they matter.
In China last month, multiple esports franchise leagues concluded their Summer Split Finals. Wolves Esports’ Honor of Kings team won the grand prize at the King Pro League Summer Split Finals, taking home 6.78m RMB (~£842k) prize money and will now be invited to the $10m (~£8.67m) Honor of Kings World Champion Cup.
In addition, China’s League of Legends Pro League team JingDong Gaming eventually defeated TOP Esports and won its second LPL Summer Split Final. Four Chinese teams, JDG, TES, Edward Gaming, and Royal Never Give Up are now confirmed to attend the League of Legends World Championship 2022 and represent China. Beyond those significant franchise tournaments, we saw three key developments in the Chinese esports industry from August.
VSPN partners with Dolby Laboratories
VSPN, China’s biggest esports tournament organiser and production company, signed a long-term strategic partnership with American audio company Dolby Laboratories. Two of Dolby’s iconic technologies, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, will be integrated into VSPN esports events including the KPL.
In addition, VSPN announced last month that it would partner with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to host the inaugural Dubai Esports Festival (DEF 2022) in November.
It’s been a busy month for VSPN, not only hosting the KPL Summer Split Finals — one of the biggest mobile esports tournaments — but also signing two major partnerships with international brands and governments.
The two partnerships have improved the global influence of VSPN as an esports solution provider and we expect to see more business expansions from VSPN in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
NetEase’s Naraka Bladepoint Pro League finds a home in Shanghai
China’s second-largest game publisher NetEase announced that it signed a partnership deal with the Shanghai Lingang District government to finally find a home for its esports franchise league Naraka Bladepoint Pro League in the Lingang district. As a part of the deal, NetEase will build the NetEase Esports Production Centre in this area.
Following multiple esports promotion policies, NetEase has eventually taken action to let its major esports franchise league NBPL settle down in Shanghai.
The inclusion of a non-Tencent franchise league in Shanghai diversifies and reinforces the city’s position as a global esports centre. It also proves NetEase’s ambitions in esports and that it has strong confidence in Naraka Bladepoint esports.
Edward Gaming League of Legends team rebrands to EDG Hycan
On August 11th, Chinese esports organisation Edward Gaming (EDG) rebranded its League of Legends squad to EDG Hycan thanks to a joint effort partnership between Edward Gaming and electronic car brand Hycan.
EDG founder Edward Zhu is also the biggest shareholder of Hycan. As one of the most successful businessmen in China, Zhu and his family business include esports, real estate, education, investment, food, and electric cars.
Mailman is a leading sports digital agency in China. It helps sports organisations & brands to build sustainable businesses in China, one of the world’s most challenging markets. Mailman is an Endeavor China company.