The inaugural Asian E-Sports Week is launched in Hangzhou on Dec 12. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The inaugural Asian E-Sports Week was launched in Hangzhou on Dec 12. Guided by the Olympic Council of Asia, it marks Hangzhou's first major international e-sports exhibition since the inclusion of e-sports as an official event in the 2023 Asian Games.

E-Sports Week, running from Dec 12 to 15, features a main venue at the Hangzhou International Expo Center and satellite venues in Qiantang, Gongshu, and Xiaoshan districts. Activities include exhibitions, business exchanges, brand tournaments, and talent training.

At the opening ceremony, the Asia E-Sports Technical Level Certification Center was unveiled, and Hangzhou's competitive gaming transformation project was launched. The event also kicked off tournaments featuring professional players from six regions, including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, competing in games like Legends of the Three Kingdoms, Dream Three Kingdoms, and Raceroom.

The exhibition area hosted over 20 leading e-sports companies, including Tencent and Electronic Soul, showcasing popular games, innovative IPs, and cutting-edge projects. Fans were drawn to limited-edition merchandise from brands like Soap Studio and Lightyear Studio, featuring collaborations with One Piece and Disney.

A gold medal display from the Jakarta and Hangzhou Asian Games also attracted crowds, reflecting the enduring spirit of competition and innovation driving Hangzhou's rise as an international e-sports hub.

Players compete in Legends of the Three Kingdoms. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]