Enriched by CROSSFIRE: Four Unique Journeys 2026-03-12

1.1 billion. That’s the total number of registered users for Smilegate’s CROSSFIRE, the world's No. 1 global FPS enjoyed by players in over 80 countries. With such a massive global player base, the game has become home to countless unique stories from its community.

To celebrate the CROSSFIRE STARS (CFS) Grand Finals—the premier CROSSFIRE eSports tournament held last year in Chengdu, China—Smilegate hosted a special contest to collect stories from Chinese players who have built lasting memories with CROSSFIRE over the years.

The Smilegate Newsroom presents the stories of the four finalists selected from the contest.

# Overcoming Disability — Li Bowen / Office Worker

“In my first year of middle school, I was diagnosed with neurological tinnitus and hearing loss. It felt like my world was falling apart. At that time, CROSSFIRE was my only source of comfort. Through the game, I met new people and connected with friends, which helped me gradually break down the emotional walls I had built because of my disability.

To me, CROSSFIRE is more than just a game—it’s a lifelong friend and a source of healing. It has been there throughout my youth and personal growth, helping me overcome depression and anxiety and rebuild my confidence. Through this experience, I went from someone who avoided the world because of hearing loss to someone who has learned to open up to it again.”

# Meeting the Partner of a Lifetime — Kang Linlin / Crossfire Freelancer

“Back in 2008, internet cafes across China were swept up in a CROSSFIRE craze. It was common for people playing CROSSFIRE in those cafes to start gaming together, and those connections often grew into close friendships—or even romantic relationships, like the one I share with my husband.

We even chose Jilin for our honeymoon because that’s where many of the friends we used to play CROSSFIRE with still live. Now, we have two children who have grown up enjoying the game, naturally influenced by our love for it. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared such a meaningful connection with CROSSFIRE for over 17 years.”

# The Driving Force Behind My Dreams — Zhang Zichang / University Student

“I’ve been playing CROSSFIRE since I was a child, influenced by my father. My passion for the game grew to the point where I began to dream of building a career around it. I especially wanted to share the excitement of CROSSFIRE esports with others, which led me to pursue a path toward becoming a commentator.

Through the CROSSFIRE commentator training program, I met many like-minded friends. We would often say to each other, ‘Let’s work together at a CROSSFIRE tournament one day.’ Since then, the game has become a driving force behind our friendship, inspiring us to keep pursuing our shared dream.”

# Reaching a Turning Point in Life — He Qiang / CROSSFIRE Coach & Club Manager

“As a child, I was quite rebellious. If I hadn’t found CROSSFIRE, I might have gone down the wrong path. I had a natural talent for the game, and as I developed my skills, I eventually competed in the first-ever WCG (World Cyber Games). That tournament became a major turning point in my life.

Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to building teams and developing future CROSSFIRE players, sharing the excitement of the game with countless young people. Even while running a supermarket to make a living, I’ve continued to scout and train new talent. Seeing the players I’ve coached compete on the professional stage and grow into championship contenders made me realize just how much I truly love this game.”

Last December, Chengdu, China, turned into a hub for CROSSFIRE during the CFS 2025 Grand Finals. The city was filled with CROSSFIRE-themed content, and the sight of fans fully immersed in the event highlighted the game’s massive popularity.

Curious about why CROSSFIRE is often called China’s “national game”? Check out the video below to see it for yourself, along with interviews featuring our four finalists.

"This is what it takes to be called a 'national game.'"