China’s ‘Cat’, Honor of Kings great, reflects on his gaming career amid the esports explosion

Hundreds of rapt fans sat in a convention hall in Paris recently, erupting into cheers after a competitor darted across the scene and left two opponents dead within seconds.

The victims were only pixels on a screen, as the setting was a friendly esports match where leading players exhibited their skills in Honor of Kings, Tencent Holdings’ top mobile game.

One of the most recognised stars on that stage was Chen Zhengzheng, better known as Cat.

Holder of five international championships, the...