Yesteryear's Internet cafes morph into high-tech fun dens

The concept of Internet cafes is striking back with a vengeance rather than crumbling away.

A combination of high-tech telecommunications, easy capital and the advent of sophisticated gaming on the back of high-end hardware and software has spawned a mini industry.

According to iResearch Consulting Group, a Beijing-based consultancy, the number of young patrons of this market, which coasts on the rising popularity of e-sports, will increase from 98 million to more than 120 million by the end of this year.