Tough play: China's pro gamers | DW Documentary

Alice Zhang is living her dream. She earns money playing computer games. But to survive in China's booming gaming scene you have to keep winning, and attract sponsors. And, in this male-dominated industry, that's far from easy. China has become the center of the e-sports industry. More than a half a billion people around the world watch professionals play computer games like World of Warcraft via live stream. Most of the top teams come from China. E-sports is a multi-billion euro business. Players can earn up to two million euros per year, and transfer fees have reached levels paid for professional footballers. The industry is dominated by teenage boys and men in their early twenties. But women like Alice Zhang are also entering the professional gaming scene. When she was still in school her parents would punish her for spending more time gaming than studying. As a young adult, however, her passion for video games has landed Zhang a spot on a professional team. Holding on to it is hard work, though - as is convincing sponsors to keep supporting her. But that won't keep Alice Zhang from pursuing her dream of earning a living from gaming. A Report by Mathias Bölinger. _______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch high-class documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary. Subscribe to DW Documentary:    / @dwdocumentary   For more documentaries visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610 Instagram   / dwdocumentary   Facebook:   / dw.stories   DW netiquette policy: http://www.dw.com/en/dws-netiquette-p...