Beyond the screen

Yao Nan, a teacher at Guizhou Open University, is working on a similar initiative in China. He explained that since last year, the university has been collaborating with the Guizhou E-sports Association to develop a national-level platform that integrates the e-sports industry with academic research, education, and hands-on experience.

"China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has officially included e-sports operators and athletes in the national catalog of vocational skills certification," Yao said. "With government support, we also plan to partner with relevant departments to offer professional training for young people."

For Wu Wenyan, a sophomore studying broadcasting at Guizhou Open University and a volunteer at the event, esports used to seem like just a form of entertainment. But being part of the event gave her a broader view of the industry.

"It's more than just a competition," she said. "It's a platform that integrates education, creates job opportunities, and even promotes cultural tourism."

Wu was especially impressed by the event's setting — intense e-sports matches held in an ancient town, where players could visit historic sites during their breaks.

"It's an excellent way for young people to bond over shared interests and connect with different cultures," she said.

Li Hanzhi, a 22-year-old student at Fudan University in Shanghai, participated in the tournament as an organizer, gaining firsthand insight into how the expanding e-sports industry is opening new career paths for young people.

Although he majors in history and public administration, Li has focused his academic research on e-sports. He currently serves as president of Fudan's e-sports club and has organized nearly 40 competitions over the past two years.

"I've been fascinated by the industry since high school," Li said. "I hope to keep working on organizing and planning e-sports events in the future."

For many participants, the event was also a rare opportunity to connect across borders through a shared passion.

Hur noted that while professional tournaments often bring together international players, this was his first time joining an event focused on amateur and college-level competitors.

"Having the chance to come to China and compete with peers from various countries was a truly valuable experience," he said. "I hope that in the future, students pursuing careers in different e-sports fields will have more platforms like this for interaction and growth."

Lei Siqi contributed to this story.