As the Star Sea Cup World Invitational drew nearer, players, coaches, and support staff from the eight top teams worldwide began to arrive in Shanghai, China, the host city for this event.
Riot Games had already assembled a professional reception team, providing thoughtful airport pick-ups, accommodations, and training ground arrangements for the guests who had traveled from afar. As these renowned players from their respective regions emerged from the airport's VIP channel, pulling their suitcases and filled with curiosity and anticipation, the flashbulbs of domestic and international media, who had been waiting there, immediately lit up the area.
First to arrive was the Samba Legion from Latin America. Dressed in brightly colored team uniforms, their outgoing personalities showed no shyness in front of the cameras, even spontaneously performing a short samba dance, instantly igniting the atmosphere in the arrival hall and drawing bursts of laughter and applause.
Following closely, Europe's Royal Knights and North America's Aurora Borealis arrived almost simultaneously. The members of the Royal Knights appeared much more composed, dressed in suits and ties, exuding a classical aristocratic aura befitting their team name, and their responses to interviews were precise. In contrast, the Aurora Borealis players were much livelier, making various amusing faces at the camera, fully showcasing the uninhibited nature of an "artistic team."
The Bangkok Pythons from Southeast Asia and Flash Wolves from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau appeared together. The Bangkok Pythons players had sharp eyes, carrying the fierce aura characteristic of tropical regions, and merely gave brief nods of acknowledgment to the cameras. The Flash Wolves players, however, appeared humble and friendly, greeting the on-site staff and media in fluent Mandarin and Cantonese.
Subsequently, the highly anticipated South Korean representative team, Baekho, arrived. They were uniformly dressed in crisp team uniforms, with serious expressions and synchronized steps, like soldiers undergoing inspection. Their answers to media questions were concise and restrained, exuding a cold confidence and discipline, which made one think of a precisely operating machine.
Finally, the last to arrive were the Siberian Bears from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Each player was tall and robust, with thick beards and an untamed glint in their eyes. Their simple luggage seemed to include local specialty vodka, revealing their unreserved personalities as they firmly shook hands with staff, their laughter booming.
As the host, Star Sea Team, was already undergoing their final adaptive training at their base.
Eight formidable teams, gathered in Shanghai! Esports elites of different cultures, styles, and languages will engage in an unprecedented showdown in this city, the Pearl of the Orient. Media outlets vied to report on the grand arrival of each team, while players eagerly analyzed the players' mental states and speculated on their competitive form through photos and short videos.
However, this was merely an appetizer. While the players rested briefly and immersed themselves in intense training, a major highlight — the official promotional video for the Star Sea Cup World Invitational, personally planned and overseen by Qin Feng to ignite the passion of global players — entered its final shooting stage.
Qin Feng deeply understood that a successful world-class event not only required hardcore competition but also cultural output that could convey spirit and evoke resonance. He invited a top domestic film and television production team and personally participated in the creative conception of the promotional video.
Filming locations were chosen in a highly futuristic large studio, with additional outdoor shots at several iconic city landmarks in Shanghai.
The core creative concept of the promotional video revolved around "convergence," "clash," and "transcendence."
On the set, lights shone brightly, and equipment stood everywhere. Players from the eight teams changed into custom team uniforms specially designed for the promotional video, which integrated cultural elements from their respective regions and team characteristics, and filmed under the director's guidance.
The camera first captured a grand panoramic shot: players from the eight teams, each approaching from a different direction, walking towards the Star Sea Cup trophy, suspended in light and shadow, at the center of the venue. Their steps were firm, and their eyes were filled with a desire for victory. (Convergence)
Subsequently, the scene rapidly switched, showcasing the iconic styles of each team:
Star Sea Team's five members stood shoulder to shoulder, their movements perfectly synchronized, like a precision instrument, demonstrating ultimate teamwork.
Aurora Borealis players performed various high-difficulty maneuvers in a neon-lit virtual space, with dazzling light and shadow, full of imagination.
The Royal Knights, against a classical palace-like backdrop, were like medieval knights, steady and resolute.
Baekho's players, in a minimalist space with cool tones, executed every movement with millisecond precision, exuding a sense of pressure.
The Bangkok Pythons, against a rainforest backdrop, moved with lightning speed, full of wild power.
Flash Wolves darted across city rooftops, their figures agile, their eyes sharp.
The Samba Legion, in a rhythmic street setting, combined their operations with dance, full of passionate exuberance.
The Siberian Bears, against a snowy landscape, roared as they performed powerful movements, utterly domineering.
These scenes, through rapid montage editing, created a strong visual impact, symbolizing the clash of different cultures and styles.
In the climax, close-ups of all players' faces flashed by in sequence; their eyes met, filled with mutual scrutiny and fighting spirit. Finally, all players faced the camera together, with the vast starry sky and the rotating Star Sea Cup as the background. A deep and powerful voice-over began (to be dubbed in multiple languages later):
"Here, is the convergence of dreams."
"Here, is the proving ground for the strong."
"Different bloodlines, the same aspiration."
"Break the boundaries," the screen froze on the resolute faces of all the players.
"Define legend!"
Finally, the Star Sea Cup World Invitational Logo dramatically appeared, with the prominent start date below it. (Transcendence)
The filming process lasted for two full days. Qin Feng personally supervised on-site, communicating details with the director to ensure that every shot conveyed the competitive spirit he wished to express and the grandeur of a global event.
After filming concluded, the post-production team embarked on intense editing, color grading, scoring, and special effects production. A week later, the finished product was delivered to Qin Feng's office.
Qin Feng watched the three-and-a-half-minute promotional video alone in the screening room. When the film ended and the lights came on, he remained silent for a long time. The video perfectly presented the effect he wanted — passion, grandeur, a sense of power, and the beauty of cultural fusion.
"Release it," he finally said.
That evening, Riot Games globally released the official promotional video for the "Star Sea Cup World Invitational" simultaneously! Multi-language versions, including Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Thai, went live at the same time!
Upon its release, the promotional video instantly set the global internet ablaze!
Viewership grew exponentially, and the comment sections were flooded with exclamations and anticipation in various languages!
"So epic! I got goosebumps!"
"The quality, the creativity, it's cinematic!"
"The different team styles were showcased so perfectly!"
"Can't wait to watch the matches!"
"Star Sea Cup is awesome! The Esports World Cup is here!"
This promotional video, like a powerful stimulant, propelled the popularity of the Star Sea Cup World Invitational to an unprecedented peak. It not only ignited the passion of players but also showcased to the world the cultural heights and artistic expressiveness that esports can achieve.
The great battle is about to begin!