Home team wins Overwatch at eSports Shanghai Masters
Shanghai Dragons players pose with the trophy after becoming champions of the Overwatch at the inaugural eSports Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
The inaugural eSports Shanghai Masters concluded at Jing’an Sports Center on Sunday with local team Shanghai Dragons beating Chengdu Hunters to become the winners of the Overwatch.
Organized by the Shanghai eSports Association and game providers, the four-day Masters was Shanghai’s first eSports league, attracting more than 100 players from China, Japan, South Korea, Europe and North America. They competed in four events — Dungeon and Fighter (DNF) F1 World Championships, Overwatch, Warcraft III Reforged and League of Legends.
Generally, game operators organize eSports competitions on their own. The Shanghai Masters provided third-party services, including referees, for game operators, who also gained a communication platform.
According to the association, more than 5,000 fans attended the competitions over the past four days. The Masters’ online streaming attracted 30 million visits by netizens. An eSports forum and an exhibition on eSports culture were also held during the event.
Shanghai has set a goal of becoming the capital of China’s eSports industry. Apart from increasing the number of venues and facilities, some districts have unveiled preferential policies for eSports developers and companies. Some universities and colleges have also launched eSports-related majors.
In August, the Shanghai eSports Association issued 85 “athlete certificates” to top video-game players to register them as professional eSports athletes. Over 40 percent of China’s major eSports competitions are held in Shanghai.
