Source: AWE

Recently, China’s first AAA game masterpiece, “Black Myth: Wukong,” was officially released and soon went viral across the internet. As countless “destined ones” embark on the journey to the West, large-screen TVs and high-resolution monitors have become their best partners to fight alongside players. Many players have upgraded their gaming equipment for a more immersive experience, driving a surge in sales of large-screen TVs. According to JD.com data, on August 20th alone, sales of 100-inch ultra-large screen TVs on JD.com increased by over 300% year-on-year, and sales of 75-inch and larger screen TVs accounted for over 60% of the total sales of TV.

The popularity of “Black Myth: Wukong” has not only showcased the charm of high-quality games to players but has also revealed the potential economic value of the gaming industry to home appliance and consumer electronics companies. On August 20, the day of the game’s release, Hisense held an offline experience event for “Black Myth: Wukong” in Shanghai, demonstrating the ultimate visual enjoyment brought by the officially designated equipment of the game - the Hisense 100E8N Ultra customized TV and 27G7K Pro monitor.

In addition to this collaboration with “Black Myth: Wukong,” Hisense announced at AWE 2024 in Shanghai in March that it had become the official partner of the 2024 KPL, marking its official entry into the esports industry as the first home appliance giant to sponsor the KPL. TCL, as an official partner of LPL and strategic partner of EDG, also held an EDG fan meet-and-greet and an onsite friendly fan match at AWE 2024, allowing players to fully experience the perfect combination of technology and competition while enjoying the gaming feast.

Furthermore, leading home appliance and consumer electronics brands such as Hisense, TCL, Samsung, and LG exhibited their latest flagship esports products at AWE 2024. For example, TCL Thunderbird showcased the U9 esports monitor with 8K/120Hz display specifications, equipped with 2304 zone Mini LED backlighting and a 32:9 ultra-wide display screen. Samsung brought its new generation of Odyssey Ark G97NC esports monitor, featuring a 55-inch ultra-large display and a 1000R curvature for an immersive experience. Many exhibitors also incorporated gaming concepts, demonstrating esports products equipped with cutting-edge display technologies such as high resolution, high refresh rate, AI image quality enhancement, and ultra-high curvature through scenario-based setups like home esports rooms, esports arenas, and game simulation equipment.

Known as the “trend barometer” of the home appliance and consumer electronics market, AWE has seen gaming-related products and collaborations become increasingly eye-catching in recent years. This trend is driven by the strong correlation between the display/3C digital product industry and the gaming industry. The prosperity of the gaming industry has opened up new areas for the consumer electronics market, from esports monitors to gaming TVs and VR/AR displays. The new generation of consumers are looking for more than just functionality and practicality from home appliances and consumer electronics, starting to pay more attention to the emotional value and personalized experience offered by products and brands. Gaming’s social interaction, co-branding, and cultural elements perfectly meet their needs. By collaborating with events, games, and players, companies can establish emotional connections with young consumers while injecting youth, vitality, and innovation into their brands.

As home appliance and consumer electronics companies stretch themselves into the esports and gaming industries, they are also expanding their product lines with many trendy audio-visual products rolled out. For example, Skyworth’s MR head-mounted display, TCL Thunderbird’s AR glasses, Huawei’s Pocket 2 foldable screen phone, Shokz’s bone conduction headphones, and Panasonic’s smart record player were all showcased at AWE 2024. These innovative products not only reflect the application of smart technology in the audio-visual entertainment field but also bring more diversified smart entertainment experiences to consumers.

Under the ripple effect of “Black Myth: Wukong,” the smart home entertainment industry, centered on high-end display products, is bound to enter a new phase of rapid development. It is worth mentioning that the UHD World Association made its debut at AWE2024, showcasing display products equipped with innovative technologies such as Audio & HDR Vivid and VR/XR. They also co-hosted the AWE UHD Summit with the AWE Organizing Committee to promote the development of the UHD video industry.

AWE 2025 has been officially launched, themed AI FOR ALL. It will present more peripheral products and gaming scenarios enhanced by AI technology, immersing visitors in a wider array of phenomenal games.

Dear players, AWE2025 invites you to join the gaming feast! March 20-23, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Don’t miss it!