Core Viewpoint - The esports industry in Shanghai is rapidly developing and is now considered to be at a unique level compared to other Asian cities, surpassing South Korea's Seoul and Japan's Tokyo in terms of scale and capability [1][5][7]. Group 1: Event Highlights - The DOTA2 offline elimination tournament held in Shanghai attracted over 3,000 on-site viewers and millions online from May 1-3 [1]. - The upcoming finals for nine esports projects will take place in major venues in Shanghai from May 16-18, showcasing the city's capacity to host large-scale events [3][4]. - The Asian Champions League (ACL) has engaged over 1,000 teams from 32 cities in China for the CS2 project, indicating widespread participation [3]. Group 2: Comparative Analysis - Shanghai's esports infrastructure, including multiple large venues, allows for hosting events that would be challenging in South Korea, even in its largest city, Seoul [4]. - While South Korea had a pioneering advantage in esports, the current level of China's esports capabilities, particularly in Shanghai, has surpassed that of South Korea [5]. - Japan's esports scene is still developing and lacks the depth seen in Shanghai, with a focus on console gaming rather than competitive esports [7]. Group 3: Financial Challenges - The esports industry faces significant profitability challenges, with many events struggling to break even [11][13]. - The ACL's total investment for this year's nine esports projects is close to 200 million RMB, covering various operational costs [14]. - Despite the challenges, the ACL is focusing on building audience reputation and engagement in its first year, with profitability not being the primary concern initially [15].