The arena of the China (Hangzhou) E-sports Center. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The "Exciting Hangzhou" M-Zone Cup Esports National Invitational Tournament kicked off in Hangzhou on May 20, featuring the Asian Games versions of two popular games, Arena of Valor and Peace Elite, making their first public appearances.

The Asian Games versions of the two games have garnered special attention from e-sports fans. What are the characteristics of these versions and how do they differ from the regular versions?

The Asian Games version of Arena of Valor adopts a 5v5 draft mode, with 63 selectable heroes. The two opposing teams, the blue side and the red side, fight on a three-lane battlefield. Each lane is equipped with three defense towers and each side has only one crystal. The ultimate objective is to destroy the opponent's crystal to achieve victory.

The Asian Games version is similar to the regular version of the game, with the main difference being a reduced number of selectable heroes and some changes in the names of certain heroes. However, the reduction in the number of heroes means fewer possibilities for team combinations, requiring a higher level of familiarity with the available heroes.

Players take part in a competition. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

On the other hand, the Asian Games version of Peace Elite undergoes significant changes. Taking inspiration from real-life sports, it recreates various competitive events such as parachuting, off-road racing, and shooting within an e-sports arena.

Each match consists of four teams, with four athletes in each team. The athletes must drive vehicles as they race and shoot each other, passing through multiple checkpoints and urban areas. The team that reaches the finish line first wins the match.

The new version retains elements of shooting, driving, and parachuting, embodying the Olympic spirit. It also showcases the characteristics of e-sports, including high openness, realism, and competitiveness. It establishes a harmonious, fair, and healthy e-sports discipline, reflecting a strong sense of sportsmanship, unity, dedication, and competition. This is the key to the inclusion of e-sports in the Olympics.

A bird's-eye view of the China (Hangzhou) E-sports Center. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]