Examining cyber nationalism in Chinese esports: case studies on Blizzard-NetEase disputes

This article examines the manifestations of nationalism among Chinese social media users and explores the implications of Chinese cyber nationalism within the emerging context of esports. The focus is specifically directed towards two chains of events caused by the cooperation suspension of Blizzard and NetEase starting in January 2023, including the removal of Hearthstone in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou and the Overwatch World Cup 2023 issues. The article begins by outlining the theoretical and historical background of sports, esports, nationalism, and media in China. The methodology for case selection and observation is then clarified, along with a justification of the case study perspectives. Through the analysis, the article proposes theoretical contributions to understanding esports, Chinese cyber nationalism, network dynamics, and media influence. The findings aim to assist stakeholders in relation to video games and esports navigating their actions and further draw attention to underexplored domains within esports research for a broader scholarly audience.