The King Pro League (KPL), China's premier esports league for Honor of Kings, is pioneering AI integration to elevate competitive strategies as the Chinese mainland's gaming sector continues its rapid expansion. Cheng Huang, head of KPL and Honor of Kings Esports, revealed this week that league officials are collaborating with clubs to develop AI systems capable of simulating complex combat scenarios and optimizing the critical 'ban-pick' character selection phase.
"AI could revolutionize how teams prepare for high-stakes matches," Huang stated, emphasizing the technology's potential to refine training methodologies ahead of major 2026 events like the Asian Games. The move comes as Honor of Kings reports 139 million daily active users in China and 260 million monthly players globally, cementing its status as a cultural and economic force.
Industry analysts note this AI push aligns with China's broader tech innovation agenda, particularly in gaming – a sector projected to generate over $55 billion in revenue this year. With esports set to feature prominently at the 2026 Asian Games, KPL's technological advancements could position Chinese teams as frontrunners while attracting new international audiences.
