The ESP eSports Experience Center, China’s first esports-themed shopping complex has opening in Putuo District, Shanghai.
Opened in Shanghai’s Putuo District, the ESP eSports Experience Center is home to a professional esports arena as well as virtual reality (VR) gaming, according to Shine. The new centre covers 36,000sq m and will be the main host for the Honor of Kings competition, an online battle arena developed by TiMi Studios and published by Tencent Games.
The East China regional competition of the King Pro Leagueis also expected to be held at the venue, which will host more than 350 games a year (via Esports Venue Summit). It is home to more than 20 esports companies, including the IMBA eSports Center at Global Harbor Mall.
Tencent, the world’s largest video games company by revenue, is also looking to expand its presence in China with a billion-dollar esports arena.
“Esports is like the Super Bowl, which isn’t just a sport event but also a vehicle of art and entertainment,” said Leo Lin, CEO of TJ Sports. TJ Sports was established by Tencent to organise and encourage competitive gaming across China. “We are going for the direction of connecting esports with our games and wider entertainment business,” Lin added.
