Jazkit Chan Cheuk-kit hugs a national team player after the final of the Dream Three Kingdoms 2 event on Sept 30. ANDY CHONG/CHINA DAILY

Players' aims

Chan said it is a common misperception among many people, especially the younger generation, that playing esports is merely a way to escape studies or other responsibilities.

Vlam Yip added that although the roots of esports lie in video games, the pursuit goes way beyond this.

For example, esports and video games are played for different reasons, he said. People play video games to find happiness in the virtual world, whereas esports players strive for victory and aim for the highest standards.

Finding happiness does not require much effort, but achieving success in esports calls for unwavering commitment to arduous training, fostering teamwork among players, and constantly pushing oneself to the limit, Vlam Yip added.

Chan said that during competition at the Asian Games, several teammates became ill, with some developing temperatures of more than 40 C. Despite their physical discomfort, they decided not to take medication to ensure they could perform to their best and avoid any risk of accidental doping.

Similar to athletes in traditional sports, esports players also require self-discipline, he added.

Furthermore, Law said that unlike video games that offer shortcuts to victory, esports places a strong emphasis on fairness.

Video games players can generally improve themselves by buying equipment, but in esports, players undergo strict training, repetitive practice, and hard study to achieve the desired results, Law said.

He thinks that esports is far from easy to play, and the competition is fierce — sometimes demanding more effort than academic studies.

Chan said that due to the physical and mental demands, commitment to fairness, and intense competition, esports is increasingly gaining recognition as a legitimate sport.