Life ain’t easy at the forefront of China’s burgeoning e-sports industry

“Let’s defend first, let’s defend first—there’s no rush,” said a reserve team player with the gamer ID “seven.”

“Go to the bottom lane and counterattack. I can do it this time,” said a starter nicknamed “Yitong” as he wiped his hand with a tissue to make sure he could keep a grip on his phone.

Dressed in T-shirts, shorts, and slippers, this group of teens and young twentysomethings, all members of Vici Gaming, a Shanghai-based e-sports club, are some of the best “Honour of Kings” players in the country.

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