Esports friendship

Xu pointed out that the biggest appeal of the game for him is the friendships formed along the way.

During their stay in Riyadh, they engaged in a friendly match with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Chen explained that both sides consisted of three KPL Dream Team players and two embassy staff members.

"At first, although we were the same age, we felt a little distant because they are diplomatic ambassadors representing our country," Chen said. "However, as soon as the game started, we quickly realized we shared the same passion for the game and had a great time."

Wu expressed satisfaction with the seamless cooperation with his "temporary teammates", which added to the delight of his Saudi trip.

"This is my first time abroad, and it has been truly remarkable," Wu said. He mentioned that the locals they met were very welcoming.

"They greeted us warmly and were always willing to answer any questions we had."

Going global

According to Peng, During the EWC, players from other countries would approach them during downtime to exchange team jerseys and share thoughts on the game.

"Honor of Kings has been gaining popularity in more and more countries," Peng said. "When players from other countries recognized me and told me that they had watched my gameplay from a first-person perspective, I felt truly flattered."

Through domestic and international events, the players have come to understand their growing role in representing Honor of Kings and the broader esports community.

Li noted that while esports have faced prejudice and judgment throughout their development, they have gained increasing recognition, especially since Honor of Kings was included in the 2023 Asian Games.

"People are starting to see esports as a legitimate industry," Li said. "Our responsibility is not only to showcase our skills but also to spread positive energy to the world, attracting more people to join esports and Honor of Kings."

In 2025, the first Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the featured events yet to be announced.

"Should Honor of Kings secure a spot as an Olympic event, we would treasure the opportunity to exhibit our competitive caliber and prowess, enlightening more people about the charm of this game," said Peng.

Contact the writer at lixinran@i21st.cn