China Digital Entertainment Expo: Gaming designers and enthusiasts gather in Shanghai

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Game designers and enthusiasts are gathering in Shanghai for the 16th China Digital Entertainment Expo. The event known as ChinaJoy opened on Friday. It was originally a trade event for the Chinese gaming industry. But now it's also an attraction for game enthusiasts. Xu Mengqi reports.

If you still think digital games are purely virtual, think again. At this year's Chinajoy, an annual gaming trade show in Shanghai, virtual reality meets actual.

For visitors, it's both a chance to try out their favorite companies' new games, and meet their community of gamers.

ZHANG SADA VISITOR "The live match was so exciting, because I am a rookie, and watching the pros play is quite exciting."

It's not hard to see why the event is themed around "New Technology, New Entertainment", but it's not just about everything new.

XU MENGQI SHANGHAI "This Japanese video game is named Double Dragon. So I am playing a martial artist who fights against all kinds of adversaries. It's simple, but for many who were born in the 80s and 90s, this is our childhood memory. And the game's Chinese investor says Double Dragon's latest remake will have some Chinese elements in it."

WINTER GUO, PRODUCT RELEASE MANAGER ZHONGSHAN SUBOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY "Double Dragon is a classic, and it has many fans in China. So while we were re-producing it with the Japanese company Arc, we also gave suggestions based on what Chinese players like."

According to a 2017 Bloomberg report, China has now become the gaming capital of the world in terms of market size. And its gaming industry is also growing the fastest globally.

For those paying attention, the progress is noteworthy.

JIANG FENG VISITOR "I came to see some hardware today, and also to get some insight on how China's cartoon and gaming industry is developing. I think there are some pretty good Chinese-style games recently."

But perhaps China's younger generation of gamers are a bit pickier.

FANG YU PLAYER "I generally prefer games by Blizzard, because I think they are better than the domestic games both in terms of special effects and the quality of pictures."

Domestic or foreign made, the spectacle of game presentations are likely to give all visitors an experience they will not forget. Xu Menqi, CGTN, Shanghai.