China is home to the world’s largest gaming industry with League of Legends considered as the country's third most popular professional sport. We examine the communities and spaces in which grassroots esports originated - China’s internet cafes. As neighbourhood places to congregate, they appealed to certain members of society despite negative criticisms and strict policies, gaining recognition in recent years as a hotbed for gaming talent. Internet cafes and esports seem inextricably linked but are the lockdowns in 2020 starting to affect this relationship?

Our guest speaker for this episode is Karen Chiu, a technology journalist at SCMP who regularly covers social media, internet culture, games and the everyday experiences of netizens in China.

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TONG is on a mission to create a more informed and connected global society. Fascinated by people, markets, attitudes, behaviours and digital as the new frontier, our aim is to provide an insider’s perspective on the things in China that need more explanation. From Daigous to Diaosi, Square Dancing to Shanzhai, we explore the historical, political and anthropological origins of phenomena past and present across Chinese society and culture. A conversation filled with expert analysis, opinions on the ground, TONG voices and many open-ended questions, our goal is to create discussion and spark curiosity.

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