Esports - next frontier in video gaming

A fan plays esports at an internet cafe in Qingdao, Shandong province, last June. [Photo by Yu Fangping/For China Daily]

Different from regular video or online games, esports is deemed as a contact sport, except that games are played in a virtual environment. There are 170 million esports players and fans in China, a number surpassing any other regular sports, according to a recent report by iReseach Consulting Group.

The popularity of the game has also spawned lucrative hosting and commentating jobs. The earnings of esports hosts and commentators are closely linked to their fan base.

Wanna get popular? A thorough understanding of the game, talking styles and even good looks are crucial.

Once one ticks all the right boxes, he or she can be as popular as Liu Zhenyan or Chen Juan.

Chen Juan, known as "AMS", is a commentator specialized in DOTA2.

After the tournaments, the commentators will also work as hosts on live-streaming platforms, earning extra money.

"In 2014, I got the chance to be an esports host and commentator right after I finished my undergraduate study. With the industry booming, now I can make more money than my college classmates", said the 25-year-old Chen Juan.

For Liu, esports ignited her inner passion, and that's the reason why she chose to be a commentator instead of finding a job in the media field, which she studied in college.

"High incomes always come along with high risks. And in all industries, the top talent will be able to earn fat salaries. And I just want to stick to the stuffs I am really into," Liu said.

Although the earnings are closely guarded, it is estimated that top hosts can learn millions of yuan in salaries alone.

Unlike a few years ago, when there were only a few professional events with small prizes, now the esports industry offers dozens of domestic and foreign tournaments with handsome rewards.