ChinaJoy 2026: a convergence of vehicles, characters, and gaming

      ChinaJoy 2026 officially commenced today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. On the opening day of the event, TechNode completed its initial round of exploration through the exhibition halls, delving into various sectors including automotive technology, gaming entertainment, and IP collaborations.

      This year's ChinaJoy has transformed beyond a conventional gaming expo, with an increasing number of companies incorporating AI, smart hardware, automotive technology, and gaming content to enhance offline interactive experiences. The event highlighted a more varied entertainment ecosystem, featuring BYD’s integration of smart vehicles with game IPs, PlayStation’s immersive gaming environments, and themed attractions centered around popular franchises from multiple gaming companies.

      At ChinaJoy 2026, BYD presented its booth as a fusion of automotive technology and gaming. Breaking away from the typical auto show format, the company showcased its vehicles alongside digital entertainment, displaying several customized itasha (anime/game-themed) cars and offering an immersive smart cockpit experience where visitors could engage in gaming using the in-car infotainment system.

      BYD revealed a special itasha car designed after the Denza Z9 GT, capturing the attention of gaming and anime enthusiasts. This vehicle recreates the Asurada GSX, a legendary racing car driven by the main character Hayato Kazami from the classic anime series Future GPX Cyber Formula. The car included original features from the anime, such as the Japanese logo and markings for teams and racing elements like SUGO and BADRIANT. The customized Denza Z9 GT sported Asurada's signature white, blue, and red racing colors, retro-style wheel coverings, and motorsport-inspired decals, merging new energy vehicle aesthetics with nostalgic anime racing culture.

      Another itasha car based on the League of Legends champion Ekko was also displayed. Known as the Boy Who Shattered Time (Time Assassin), Ekko is a popular character from Riot Games’ MOBA title. This vehicle featured a purple-themed design, an EK logo representing Ekko, and elements from the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). It was created as part of BYD’s collaboration with the game IP.

      In addition to the vehicles, BYD highlighted technologies such as its flash charging system and the DiPilot advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

      At PlayStation’s booth, visitors encountered an immersive interactive area themed PLAY HAS NO LIMITS. A key attraction was the presence of Helldivers armor cosplayers from Helldivers 2, who created a sci-fi battlefield ambience, inviting guests for photographs and interaction while patrolling the venue.

      The booth carried forward the Dimensional Train arch design showcased at BW2026, incorporating stage activities and character interactions to further enrich the immersive experience. Additionally, PlayStation provided hands-on demos of several PS5 titles, including Helldivers 2 and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, allowing players a sneak peek of upcoming releases.

      Kingsoft Games introduced a significant collaboration between Goose Goose Duck and JX3 at its booth, themed Goose and Duck Heroes, Embarking on a Journey Through the Martial World. The visual elements combined the unique characteristics of both IPs, transforming the charming geese and ducks into martial arts heroes, with the backdrop featuring traditional Chinese-style pavilions from JX3.

      Goose Goose Duck, a widely enjoyed multiplayer social deduction game, is operated in China by Kingsoft Games. JX3 is a classic wuxia MMORPG developed by Kingsoft’s Seasun Games, and both titles are part of the broader Kingsoft ecosystem. This cross-IP partnership not only offers a wuxia-themed offline experience but will also introduce in-game content like faction-themed skins and new gameplay features.

      At Century Games' booth, visitors were welcomed by the theme Amazing Games, Connecting the World, showcasing a variety of top titles from different genres. A highlight was Whiteout Survival, an ice-and-snow survival SLG returning to ChinaJoy for the third year in a row, featuring a winter-themed interactive area where its iconic polar bear mascot became a popular spot for photos.

      The newly launched medieval strategy simulation game Bennie Kingdom made its significant offline debut, inviting players to engage in kingdom building and strategic management. Also, the tower defense franchise Kingdom Rush captivated fans with a gigantic king character installation, drawing attendees for photo opportunities. Through a combination of game demos, themed displays, and interactive experiences, Century Games emphasized its growing global portfolio across strategy, survival simulation, tower defense, and other genres.