On August 22, 2024, meleap Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its second global flagship store in Shanghai, where it simultaneously launched several new products and technologies. meleap also announced that the 2025 HADO WORLD CUP, an international event expected to feature qualified teams will be selected from over 30 countries and regions, will be held in Shanghai.

The event attracted significant attention from the media, business partners, and government representatives, becoming a major focus within the industry. Notable attendees included Ms. Shi Baozhen, Chairperson of the Hongkou District, Mr. Zhao Guangsheng, Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Sports Federation, and Consul Ayako Hasegawa from the Japanese Consulate, who were all present to support this grand event.

About HADO
The name “HADO” is inspired by the Hadoken move from the well-known game Street Fighter. It is an innovative sports competition that combines augmented reality (AR) technology with physical exercise, originating from Japan and developed by Tokyo-based meleap Inc. HADO merges the virtual with the real world, allowing players to experience battles with virtual energy balls in a real space through AR glasses and arm sensors. This sport is not only novel and fun but also integrates physical fitness, strategy, and teamwork, making it a new trend in the future of sports.

I. Global Flagship Store of HADO ARENA

On August 22, 2024, the world’s largest flagship store, “HADO ARENA,” will officially open at the LANDMARK Center in Hongkou District, Shanghai. Covering over 2,000 square meters, it will feature four internationally standard sports arenas and a competition venue with 300 seats.

GRAND STAGE

PREMIUM ROOM

PREMIUM ROOM

COURT 1

COURT 2

RECEPTION & MECHANDISE

REFRESHMENT AREA

DRESSING ROOM

DIGITAL BANNERS

II.Product Launch Event 2024

meleap also held a product launch event during the opening ceremony, unveiling several new technologies and products all at once.

III. HADO Launches HADO WORLD – The Real-Life “League of Legends” Debuts

Amidst global anticipation, HADO has officially announced its latest masterpiece, “HADO WORLD”, which will be released soon. HADO WORLD is a new product centered around hero characters.

Players will assume unique hero roles, allocate points to enhance their combat abilities, and engage in fierce battles with other players. Each hero possesses unique skills, and different hero combinations bring forth a myriad of tactics and strategies, greatly enriching the possibilities of competition.

IV. 2025 HADO World Cup to be Held in Shanghai, with a Total Prize Pool of Approximately $138,000

At the opening ceremony, HADO officially announced plans for the 2025 HADO World Cup in June. Subsequently, HADO will hold a series of selection tournaments across globally to select the best national or regional teams for the 2025 World Cup. This will be the meleap’s first time hosting the event outside of Tokyo, offering Chinese audiences the chance to experience this global competition that combines AR technology with sports—a rare opportunity and a significant benefit.

※Total prize pool converted based on a base amount of 20 million yen at the current exchange rate.
※The total prize pool for the entire HADO WORLD CUP Tournament & Preliminaries, including the EURO Championship, Japan Cup, and China Cup, is 20 million yen. Of this, the HADO WORLD CUP Tournament prize money accounts for 10 million yen.

V. Global Remote Virtual Battle System

Additionally, HADO showcased its collaboration with Sony’s mocopi in developing a virtual battle system currently under development. With simple hardware, players can achieve real-time, precise skeletal motion tracking, enabling AR battles with virtual characters. This system will make battles between VTubers and even between VTubers and real people possible, offering more flexible and diverse competitive experiences. Once this feature is officially released, virtual goods such as hero skins and items are expected to become highly potential commercial opportunities, further enriching the player experience and enhancing the HADO ecosystem.

VI. Upgraded HADO System and User Experience

HADO announced the launch of the second-generation upgraded HADO system and application, user apps, and hardware equipment, including an all-in-one machine “HADO KIOSK” to help players achieve quick binding. Players can also check their performance, rankings, download battle videos, and use the reservation system in real-time via the “HADO GO” mini-program available within WeChat.
※HADO KIOSK and HADO GO are available exclusively in China at the moment.

Moreover, the cost of introducing the third-generation wrist sensor has been significantly reduced to about $5,500, the weight reduced from 144g to 20g, and the battery life extended from an average of 2 hours to 8 hours. These improvements not only reduce operating costs but also significantly increase operational efficiency, helping HADO to spread rapidly worldwide.

VII. Players Can Customize Personalized Skins

HADO has developed a skin customization feature, allowing players to create their own characters according to personal preferences and styles. This feature enhances player immersion and provides richer visual enjoyment and personalized expression in HADO AR competitions. Additionally, this product can be used for brand, local government promotional content, including but not limited to character IPs, anime and game, movie projects, food, sports teams, as well as theme parks and commercial facilities promotion and marketing.

VIII. City Invitational Tournament Ignites the Scene: Five City Teams Battle

During the opening ceremony, HADO also held a City Invitational Tournament. Professional teams from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Changsha, Tokyo, and Seoul gathered for exciting competitive battles. These teams represent the top HADO players from their respective cities, and their presence undoubtedly added immense heat and popularity to the opening event.

Ⅸ. A New Era of AR Technology Sports: Future Prospects of HADO ARENA Global Flagship Store

The opening of the largest HADO ARENA Global Flagship Store not only marks a new era for AR technology sports but also indicates limitless possibilities for the future of this field. As the global center of AR competition, HADO ARENA will provide the world’s most advanced AR technology sports facilities and immersive experiences for players and spectators from around the world.

Looking ahead, the HADO ARENA Global Flagship Store will become an important engine driving the development of AR technology sports, hosting more international-level events and activities, and creating a stage where players from around the globe can showcase themselves and realize their dreams. HADO will continue to lead the trend in AR technology sports, continuously expanding the boundaries of this emerging field, creating more possibilities, and driving AR technology sports toward a more glorious future.