Still some challenges to be addressed

Chen Jiang, associate professor at Peking University, says technological advancement and the rapid upgrading of games guarantee the vitality of e-sports on the entertainment landscape.

A meeting of the International Olympic Committee's executive board last fall declared e-sports "could be considered a sporting activity" - perhaps setting the stage for inclusion in a future Olympic Games.

But ongoing challenges remain - not the least of which are building a regulatory system and protecting the health and safety of young gamers. Gaming "addiction" among children has long been a negative, but Chen believes there are solutions.