Behind the support of esports in Hong Kong: a study on public perception

In view of the emergence of esports and its development in the past years, this article was written based on a survey conducted in 2021 that investigated the public perception of esports in Hong Kong with the following themes: 1) the public’s understanding and perceptions of esports in Hong Kong; 2) the public’s attitude towards the development and funding support of esports in Hong Kong; 3) the expected governing structure for esports in Hong Kong. Around 70% of the participants supported developing esports in Hong Kong and suggested that the government should subsidize esports development by providing more funding, sending esports teams to participate in the 2022 Asian Games, and supporting the establishment of a local esports association. However, it is argued that there was a limited understanding of esports and its development behind the public’s support, and a contradicting view towards esports in education that hindered its social acceptance.