The popularity of the Star Sea Cup World Invitational continued to grow, and in turn, league of legends and its founder, Qin Feng, once again broke through their usual circles, becoming a widely discussed phenomenon across society.
A highly influential national financial television channel, keenly aware of this hot topic, planned a deep-dive interview program, inviting Qin Feng as the main guest to discuss the business logic, industry prospects, and the inner world of this young founder.
On the day of the recording, Qin Feng, dressed in a simple dark suit, sat calmly on the studio sofa.
Facing the host and the cameras, he wore his usual faint smile, his eyes as clear and firm as ever.
The host, Teacher Li, was a seasoned media professional known for her in-depth questions and steady style.
After exchanging pleasantries, the interview quickly got to the main topic.
"Mr. Qin Feng," Teacher Li smiled, posing the first question, which was also the one many viewers were most curious about, "We all know that you come from a very privileged family, what people call a 'rich second generation.'
Following the traditional path, you could have lived a... well, a much more relaxed and comfortable life.
What prompted you to choose to start your own business and enter the gaming industry, which at the time was quite controversial?
This seems like a much harder and riskier path."
This question was quite sharp, subtly hinting at a "why bother" kind of inquiry.
Qin Feng smiled lightly at her words, leaning slightly forward, his tone calm yet full of power: "Teacher Li, first of all, I don't believe the 'rich second generation' label should define a person's life choices.
For me, privileged conditions are more like a form of capital, a capital that gives me 'options' and 'the cost of trial and error.'
It allows me to try things that might be riskier, but also potentially more valuable."
He paused, his gaze seeming to pierce through the studio, returning to that starting point full of passion and uncertainty.
"As for why I chose games, especially competitive games like league of legends..." Qin Feng's eyes became focused, "Because I saw a trend, a trend in the evolution of 'competitive' forms."
"Traditional sports, without a doubt, are a hymn to human strength, the ultimate offline physical and skill confrontation.
However, with the full advent of the internet era, human activities, including competition, are bound to migrate online.
The internet provides infinite space, instant connections, and brand new possibilities."
"I believe that the core spirit of competition—that pursuit of excellence, self-transcendence, fair play, and teamwork—is not confined to physical arenas.
It can also, in the virtual world, through strategy, reaction, and team coordination, shine with equally brilliant, and even more diverse, light."
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of conviction: "I founded Riot Games and created league of legends precisely to build such a platform.
A platform that allows countless people, no matter where they are, to easily participate, experience the charm of competition, feel the passion of teamwork, and ultimately converge into a new cultural form.
This is not just about making a game; it's about pioneering an era—an era belonging to esports."
The studio was quiet, only Qin Feng's voice echoed.
Teacher Li listened intently, nodded, and then introduced the second, even sharper and more far-reaching question.
"A very grand vision," Teacher Li affirmed, then changed the subject, "But, Mr. Qin Feng, we've noticed that both industry analysis and historical experience show that online games, especially competitive ones, seem to have a so-called 'life cycle.'
The craze might last a few years, but it's hard to imagine a game enduring for decades or even centuries like traditional sports.
Based on your internal assessments or your personal judgment, how long do you think league of legends' vitality can last?
Ten years? Twenty years? Or... do you think it could become a classic that spans half a century?"
This question went straight to the core, concerning the sustainability of the business model and the foundation of the "esports era" Qin Feng described.
Qin Feng did not answer immediately after hearing it.
He was silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, or perhaps organizing his words.
The atmosphere in the entire studio grew a little heavy.
Finally, he looked up, his face showing no offense or difficulty, but rather a nearly transcendent calm.
"Teacher Li, your question is very profound, and it's one we frequently ponder and discuss internally," Qin Feng began slowly, "First, I must honestly say that no one, including myself, can accurately predict the specific lifespan of a digital product.
Technology iterates, aesthetics change, and user interests shift.
These are objective laws."
He then changed tack, his tone still steady: "However, I believe we might be focusing on the wrong thing.
Or rather, my personal focus isn't entirely on how many years league of legends itself can operate."
"Oh?" Teacher Li expressed her doubt at just the right moment.
"Yes," Qin Feng affirmed, his gaze directed at the camera, as if speaking to all viewers, "For me, for Riot Games, league of legends is more like a vehicle, a tool, or even... a key."
"Our core objective, or my original intention, is not to ensure that a certain game 'lives forever.'
Our mission is to use this product to prove the feasibility and immense potential of 'esports' as a new, mature, and highly valuable sports form, both socially and culturally."
His voice gradually grew more resonant: "What we want to do is build a complete tournament system, a professional club ecosystem, specialized content dissemination channels, and a widely recognized business model.
We want to enable hundreds of millions of players and viewers worldwide to truly accept, love, and participate in esports culture."
"So, returning to your question," Qin Feng gave his final answer, clear and firm, "Whether league of legends specifically exists for ten years, fifty years, or longer, this is important, but it is not my ultimate concern.
As long as, during the period we operate it, it successfully ushers in a global esports era, paves the way for successors, sets a benchmark, and truly brings esports into the mainstream, integrating it into the cultural life of global youth... then, my Riot Games team and I will have fulfilled our historical mission."
"As for the future," he smiled slightly, with a hint of detachment, "perhaps there will be even better, more advanced games to replace league of legends and continue to carry the dream of esports.
But what does that matter?
As long as the era of esports has been personally initiated by us and continues to flourish, then everything we do today will possess an eternal value that transcends the product's own lifespan."
When his words fell, the studio fell into a brief silence.
Teacher Li looked at this overly young founder, yet one possessing such profound and grand vision, and a glimmer of admiration flashed in her eyes.
Many of the follow-up questions she had prepared seemed less important at this moment.
"To usher in an era..." Teacher Li slowly repeated the phrase, finally breaking into a knowing smile, "Thank you very much, Mr. Qin Feng, for sharing your profound insights today.
Let us wish the Star Sea Cup World Invitational a complete success, and we look forward to an even more brilliant esports era as you've described."
The interview ended.
However, Qin Feng's discourse on "original intention" and "the era," with the broadcast of the program, sparked widespread contemplation far beyond the gaming community.
People began to realize that what this young man was doing might truly be more than just a game.
He was, in an unprecedented way, reshaping the entertainment, social, and even spiritual worlds of a new generation of young people.
The wheels of the era were slowly turning towards a new direction under his resolute gaze.