In the world of first-person shooters (FPS), Crossfire Stars 2023 emerged as a spectacular event that, despite its relative obscurity in the West, showcased the depth and excitement of the genre.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the tournament, held in November and December, boasted a whopping $1.4 million prize pool, highlighting its significance in the esports landscape.
Developed by South Korea’s Smilegate and popularized in China through a partnership with Tencent, Crossfire has maintained a stronghold as one of China’s most played FPS esports titles since 2008.
The game, renowned for its 5v5 defuse-the-bomb style gameplay, has amassed over 1 billion registered users, as noted by Abner Chen of Tencent’s K1 Corporation Department at the Tencent Global Esports Summit.
Crossfire’s allure isn’t just in its gameplay; it also commands a substantial viewership.
During its Grand Final, Crossfire Stars 2023 skyrocketed to the number one spot on Huya and clinched significant positions on Douyu, China’s leading livestreaming platforms. The event’s finale peaked with a Heat Index of 8.6 million on DouYu and 7.3 million on Huya, underscoring its immense popularity.
Smilegate attributes this success to strategic localisation for the Chinese market, incorporating culturally resonant themes and aesthetics. Seong Hoon Lee, Smilegate’s Esports Global Operation Team Manager, highlighted the effectiveness of local marketing and understanding the unique preferences of Chinese players.
The Crossfire franchise extends beyond the annual Crossfire Stars event.
In China, it boasts a franchised league, the CFPL, which recently secured a ten-year partnership with Chengdu’s Gaoxin district, home to all 10 franchises. Additionally, a competitive ecosystem exists for its mobile variant.
The 2023 event’s significance was heightened as it marked a return to Chengdu, the host city of the inaugural Crossfire Stars, after a four-year hiatus. VSPO Senior Vice President Xie ‘Old_Xie’ Yixian emphasized Chengdu’s large and enthusiastic Crossfire fanbase, making it an ideal host city.
Held at the Chengdu Gaoxin Sports Centre, the event featured a global lineup of teams from regions like Turkey, Egypt, North America, and Brazil. Brazil, in particular, has established itself as a competitive powerhouse in the Crossfire scene, winning the competition in 2018 and 2019.
Imperial Esports’ Caio ‘Goken’ Aguiar, participating in the 2023 event, pointed out the need for more developmental support in the Brazilian ecosystem, highlighting a disparity in organizational backing compared to other titles.
Crossfire’s impact was palpable not only at the Chengdu Gaoxin Sports Centre but also at WenShuFang Folk and Culture Street. Here, fans engaged in various themed activities, including cafes, watch parties, and gaming setups, fostering a deeper connection between teams and their fanbases, as explained by Tencent’s Crossfire Marketing Director Chen Jin.
The event also served as a platform for players accustomed to online play to experience the thrill of LAN events.
This dynamic brought together competitors from various competitive tiers, further enriching the tournament’s diversity.
As Crossfire celebrates a decade of growth, plans for further development are in motion.
Smilegate aims to expand the global esports scene, with more events like the one held earlier in Vietnam and enhancements slated for 2024.
Four-time Crossfire Stars champion Wang ‘N9’ Hao of Bisha Gaming sees the future of Crossfire as promising, suggesting improvements in inclusivity, prize pools, and audience engagement.
Despite the burgeoning competition from titles like VALORANT and Counter-Strike 2, there is a strong belief within the Crossfire community that it remains one of China’s top FPS games.
The challenge ahead is not only to expand its competitive ecosystem globally but also to maintain its esteemed position in the fiercely competitive world of Chinese esports.
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