But esports will only be a demonstration sport, meaning it’s not part of the main program or medal table at the Asian Games, which will be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia.

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The company said it all begins in June, when 45 countries and territories will be invited to a qualification round to compete for seven spots at the Asian Games. (As hosts, Indonesia automatically qualify, making a total of eight teams.)

The seven spots will be divided among five regional divisions. The East Asia division, which includes China, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong among others, are battling for three spots. The other four divisions -- Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia -- will have one spot each.

But many professional esports teams are made up of players from different countries, so it’s not clear how each company will pick its teams.

Riot Games said on Weibo that countries are free to select players in any way they want. But they also added that Riot Games and Tencent will offer opinions as to how a team should be assembled.

While gamers are certainly thrilled about the inclusion of esports in the Asian Games, some question the committee’s choice of games. Major esports titles such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 didn’t make the cut.

But it might not be surprising to see events like esports eventually join the main competition one day, especially at the Asian Games, which has a history of non-traditional sports: One of the medal sports this year is bridge, the card game.

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