Former RNG bot laner Uzi founds a new esports organization

TL;DR

  • Uzi co-founded Ultra Fantastic Gaming (UFG) with celebrity partner Fan Chengcheng
  • UFG strategically targets Wild Rift first due to China’s mobile gaming market potential
  • The organization benefits from NPPA approval and Riot’s esports development plans
  • Future League of Legends expansion remains highly probable given Uzi’s background
  • This marks Uzi’s transition from professional player to esports business leader

Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao, the legendary RNG bot laner who retired last year, is making a strategic comeback in esports through organizational leadership rather than competitive play. His return demonstrates how professional gamers can leverage their expertise to build sustainable esports businesses.

The 24-year-old League of Legends veteran officially announced the establishment of Ultra Fantastic Gaming (UFG) through social media platform Weibo and gaming publication Inven Global. Uzi has partnered with multi-talented entertainer Fan Chengcheng, known for his work with pop group Nine Percent and current involvement with NEX7. This celebrity-esports collaboration represents an emerging trend in the industry that combines gaming expertise with mainstream entertainment appeal.

Will UFG compete in League of Legends?

While many anticipated Uzi would target the traditional League of Legends competitive scene, UFG’s initial strategic focus is exclusively on Wild Rift, the mobile adaptation. This decision reflects calculated market timing as the game awaits full Chinese release while demonstrating massive potential in a market where mobile gaming dominates consumer preferences and accessibility.

Critical to this strategy is Wild Rift’s official approval from the Chinese National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), which provides regulatory certainty for long-term investment. Riot Games’ concerted efforts to establish Wild Rift as a legitimate esports title make UFG’s early positioning particularly astute. The organization gains first-mover advantages in building rosters, fan bases, and sponsorship relationships before market saturation occurs.

For aspiring esports organizations, the mobile gaming market offers lower entry barriers compared to established PC titles, with reduced player acquisition costs and earlier access to emerging talent pools. Understanding regional market dynamics proves essential when selecting initial game titles for organizational focus.

Given Uzi’s deep roots in League of Legends, future expansion into creating an LoL division appears inevitable for UFG. The veteran player remains widely regarded among the most skilled competitors in the game’s history, despite never capturing the World Championship title. His competitive resume includes three LPL championships and the prestigious 2018 Mid-Season Invitational victory with RNG, establishing credibility that naturally translates to organizational leadership.

Successful esports organizations typically diversify across multiple titles to mitigate risk and maximize brand exposure. UFG’s measured approach of establishing credibility in Wild Rift before potentially expanding to League of Legends mirrors successful multi-game expansion strategies employed by established organizations like T1 and G2 Esports.

Uzi’s professional retirement last year resulted from persistent health complications that hindered his competitive performance. While fans speculated about a potential return to professional play, the UFG announcement confirms his transition into organizational ownership and management roles within the esports ecosystem.

This career evolution represents a growing trend where elite players leverage their expertise and brand recognition to build sustainable business ventures. The transition from player to owner allows continued influence on the industry while addressing the physical demands that often shorten competitive careers.

Under Uzi’s guidance, Ultra Fantastic Gaming aims to establish itself as a prominent name across multiple major titles, applying his competitive insights to roster development, training methodologies, and competitive strategy formulation.

Action Checklist

  • Research regional gaming market trends and regulatory requirements before selecting initial game titles
  • Establish strategic partnerships with complementary industry figures (entertainers, investors, etc.)
  • Develop multi-game expansion timeline with clear milestones and resource allocation
  • Create player recruitment and development pipeline for targeted game titles

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Former RNG bot laner Uzi founds a new esports organization Uzi launches Ultra Fantastic Gaming with strategic focus on Wild Rift esports expansion in China