Gaming addiction has been a hot topic for years, and in China it’s becoming a big enough concern that some parents are paying thousands to help their kids break the habit. One Chinese esports organisation has gone viral for its extreme training programme, which costs around $1,400, for a course that puts children through the punishing routine of a professional gamer, all in an effort to make them quit gaming.
A Harsh Training Regime
The club, run by Su Chenhao in Hebei province, first opened back in 2018 to train potential esports stars. But by 2023, Su realised just how rare genuine talent is. Experts say the chances of making it as a pro gamer are about one in 120,000, and while top players can earn huge sums from salaries and endorsements, most young people chasing that dream simply become hooked on games.
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That’s what led Su to pivot into what he calls “gaming dissuasion” courses. Kids who sign up must play from 9am until midnight every day, only taking short breaks for meals or jogging. The idea is to show them just how exhausting the life of a professional player really is.
One child, known as Xiao Dan, dreamed of going pro but suffered muscle cramps on the very first day. Another broke down in tears and begged to go home on day two.
22 Days of Gaming
Parents can choose between shorter week-long courses or the more intense 22-day option. Fees start at several thousand yuan and go up to 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) depending on the child’s condition and parental requests.
Su says more than 4,000 children have joined his programme over the last seven years, and claims that 85% of them were addicted to gaming. “Such a high-pressure atmosphere makes gaming a task more arduous than studying,” he explained.
A Growing Industry Problem
China is home to around 490 million esports users, according to the 2024 China Esports Industry Development Report. That’s roughly 35% of the country’s population. Esports has even been recognised as an official sport since 2003, and Chinese players have made big names on the global stage.
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But with so many kids idolising pro players and streamers, the reality of making it big is still slim. While an average professional in China can earn about US$2,800 a month, only the very top names can make upwards of US$140,000, and that doesn’t even account for sponsorship deals.
Not Just One Club
Su’s club isn’t the only one experimenting with this kind of programme. In Sichuan province, another esports academy has put 700 students through its own training in the past eight years. Out of all those hopefuls, only three actually went on to professional clubs.
For most, the reality check was enough to steer them away from unhealthy gaming habits. As one observer put it, “It is a win-win game. The club makes money and the children are not addicted to games any more.”
The Bigger Picture
Esports continues to grow rapidly worldwide, with huge events like the Esports World Cup proving just how mainstream competitive gaming has become. But with that rise comes new challenges — especially for younger players.
Programmes like Su’s might seem harsh, but they highlight an uncomfortable truth: for every world-class player living the dream, there are thousands more chasing an illusion. And for some parents, paying $1,400 to snap their kids out of it might just be worth the price.