BUFF163 review 2026: the world’s largest CS2 skin marketplace

BUFF163 is the marketplace that defined the global CS2 skin economy. It is not a gambling platform. It is not a case-opening site. It is a peer-to-peer marketplace where CS2 players buy and sell weapon skins directly to each other, and it has become the dominant force in the entire industry. Since 2018, BUFF163 has accumulated 32,031 different skin listings (which represents 81% of all CS2 items in existence), processed 4.4 million active offers, and facilitated over $144.4 million in total marketplace value. That is the largest marketplace by total value in the world. When traders across China, the United States, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine need to price a skin, they look at BUFF163. The “BUFF price” is the industry standard reference. For anyone serious about CS2 skin trading, understanding BUFF163 is not optional.

What makes BUFF163 unique is its sheer scale and its status as the price discovery mechanism for the entire industry. Most marketplaces serve a specific geography or a specific player type. BUFF163 serves everyone. It is backed by NetEase, a $70 billion valued technology company that has the capital and the operational expertise to scale globally. It pioneered mainstream P2P skin trading. It has the deepest liquidity, the most items listed, and the total value that dwarfs every competitor. The tradeoff is significant: BUFF163’s payment and withdrawal systems are restrictive, designed primarily for the Chinese market where the platform was born.

This review covers everything you need to know before creating an account on BUFF163. What the marketplace is, why it matters, how the buying and selling mechanics work, whether the platform is trustworthy, what the payment and withdrawal limitations mean for non-Chinese users, and what you should actually expect from the experience. Whether you are trading casually or managing a serious skin portfolio, this guide gives you the complete picture.

What is BUFF163?

BUFF163 is the world’s largest peer-to-peer marketplace for CS2 weapon skins. It is operated by NetEase, Inc., one of the largest gaming and technology conglomerates in the world, with a market valuation exceeding $70 billion. The company was founded in August 2018 in Hangzhou, China, by Ding Lei’s NetEase team, and it quickly became the dominant marketplace for CS2 skins in Asia before expanding to serve players globally.

The marketplace works like this: sellers list weapon skins from their inventory at a price they set. Buyers browse available listings, compare prices, and either accept asking prices or make offers below them. When a buyer and seller agree on a price, BUFF163 facilitates the trade through Steam’s official trade system. BUFF163 takes a small fee (2.50% from the seller) and the transaction completes. The buyer receives the skin. The seller receives payment in Chinese currency or cryptocurrency.

BUFF163’s core audience includes CS2 collectors who want access to the world’s largest inventory, serious traders who use BUFF163 pricing as the market standard, and players in China and surrounding regions who have direct access to the platform’s full feature set. For casual Western players, BUFF163 operates differently because of payment and withdrawal restrictions that make it more complicated than Western marketplaces.

The target audience matters because BUFF163 is not designed with equal friction for all users. The platform was built for Chinese players first. International expansion happened, but the payment infrastructure reflects that origin.

Why BUFF163 matters

The reason to understand BUFF163 is not necessarily to use it (unless you are in China or comfortable with its payment methods), but to understand that BUFF163 sets the price for the entire CS2 skin industry. When a trader in Germany wants to know what a particular skin is worth, they check BUFF163. When a collector in the United States wants to benchmark an offer from a different marketplace, they reference BUFF163. When a Russian trader wants to understand market direction, they look at BUFF163’s aggregate prices.

This is called “price discovery,” and BUFF163’s role as the primary price discovery mechanism for the global CS2 economy is why it matters even to players who never create an account.

Market dominance by inventory value

BUFF163 hosts 32,031 different individual item listings with a total combined value of $144.4 million. That is the largest marketplace by value in the world. For context, no competitor comes close. The second largest marketplace has approximately one-tenth of BUFF163’s total value. The difference is staggering.

The inventory also represents 81% of all CS2 items that exist in the game. That means if you are looking for a specific skin, specific float value, or specific pattern, BUFF163 is statistically your best chance of finding it.

The BUFF price standard

When traders talk about “the BUFF price” for a skin, they are referring to a specific reference point used globally. A Factory New AK-47 Phantom Disruptor might be listed for $45 on one marketplace and $48 on another, but traders check BUFF163 to see what the actual market price is. BUFF163’s price becomes the anchor, and other marketplaces price around it.

This is significant because it means BUFF163 does not just operate a marketplace. It operates the marketplace. Disagreement exists about whether this is healthy (transparency and efficiency) or problematic (market concentration), but the fact itself is undeniable.

NetEase backing

BUFF163 is owned and operated by NetEase, Inc., a multinational internet technology company with operations across gaming, music, education, and other sectors. NetEase is publicly traded and has a market valuation that exceeds $70 billion. This is not a startup. It is not an offshore operation. It is a major technology company with the capital, the legal infrastructure, and the reputational risk to operate honestly.

NetEase’s involvement means BUFF163 has access to payment infrastructure, legal resources, and operational expertise that smaller competitors lack. It also means the company has regulatory exposure in China, which is both a strength (legitimacy) and a limitation (compliance with Chinese law and policy).

How BUFF163 works

Understanding the mechanics requires understanding what happens at each step, from account creation to withdrawal.

Creating an account

Registration on BUFF163 requires an email address and a password. You provide basic information and confirm your email. For Chinese users, the platform integrates with Chinese identity verification and payment systems. For international users, account creation is straightforward, but the actual trading and withdrawal experience is what becomes complicated.

Connecting to Steam

To buy and sell skins on BUFF163, you must authenticate with your Steam account and give BUFF163 permission to access your inventory and execute trades on your behalf. This is an OAuth-style authentication flow. You do not share your Steam password. BUFF163 receives permission to send and receive trade offers through Steam’s official API.

The authentication happens once, and you can revoke it at any time by removing BUFF163’s access from your Steam account settings.

How buying works on BUFF163

Buying on BUFF163 is straightforward from a mechanics perspective, but complicated from a payment perspective (we cover payments below).

To buy, you browse listings for items you want. BUFF163’s search and filtering tools let you find skins by weapon type, finish name, float range, or pattern specifics. Once you find an item, you can either accept the asking price or make an offer below it. If you accept the asking price, BUFF163 sends a trade offer to the seller automatically. If the seller accepts, the skin moves to your inventory.

From a buyer’s perspective, you pay no fee. The 2.50% seller fee is absorbed by the seller.

How selling works on BUFF163

To sell, you list a skin from your Steam inventory on BUFF163. You set a price in either Chinese Yuan or BUFF’s internal currency. Buyers then browse your listing and either accept your asking price or make offers below it.

When a buyer accepts, BUFF163 sends a trade offer from your inventory to the buyer. Once the trade executes through Steam, the funds enter your BUFF163 account balance. BUFF163 deducts the 2.50% seller fee from your proceeds.

The 2.50% fee is moderate compared to some competitors (DMarket charges 2.0%, CSFloat charges 2.0%), but higher than the lowest-fee marketplaces. The tradeoff is that BUFF163 provides the largest inventory and the most liquidity, so the slightly higher fee buys you access to a significantly larger marketplace.

Price discovery and listing strategy

BUFF163’s real-time pricing system shows you what similar items are currently listed for. When you list a skin, the platform suggests a competitive price based on comparable items. This helps you avoid pricing yourself out of the market while also avoiding leaving money on the table.

The marketplace also shows you historical pricing trends, though this feature has limitations for very rare or specialized items where transaction history is sparse.

Buy orders and automated purchasing

BUFF163 supports buy orders, which let you create standing offers for skins matching specific criteria. You might set up a buy order for “AK-47 Phantom Disruptor, Factory New, float below 0.05, price capped at $40.” When an item matching those specifications appears, BUFF163 notifies you and can auto-accept if you have configured it to do so.

Buy orders are useful for players who know exactly what they want and do not want to spend hours browsing. They are particularly valuable for float hunters who want to acquire multiple items with specific float characteristics.

Payment and withdrawal limitations for international users

This is the section that matters most for non-Chinese players, because this is where BUFF163’s core limitation becomes apparent.

Alipay and WeChat Pay only

BUFF163’s payment system is designed for Chinese users. The platform accepts Alipay and WeChat Pay as the primary deposit methods. For international players without access to these payment systems (which requires a Chinese bank account or specific regional support), buying on BUFF163 requires a workaround.

Some international players use virtual Alipay or WeChat accounts, or they ask friends in China to facilitate transactions. These workarounds exist, but they are not the intended path and they introduce friction and risk.

No direct payouts for non-Chinese users

This is the core issue: BUFF163 does not pay out to non-Chinese users directly. If you are a seller and you generate a balance on BUFF163, you cannot withdraw those funds to a PayPal account, to a bank account, or to cryptocurrency unless you are in China or have a Chinese bank account.

The platform does support DOTA 2 Arcanas as a workaround for international users. You can convert your BUFF163 balance to Arcanas (which are tradeable items in DOTA 2), list those Arcanas on third-party marketplaces, and then convert them to other currencies. This is a workaround, not a solution. It adds friction, introduces transaction fees at each step, and requires navigating the DOTA 2 economy.

Some international users have reported success using cryptocurrency or asking resellers to facilitate cash-out, but again, these are informal workarounds, not supported features.

The practical implication

For Chinese users, BUFF163 is a straightforward marketplace where you deposit money, buy and sell skins, and withdraw your balance easily. For international users, BUFF163 works better as a buying-only marketplace where you deposit small amounts, make targeted purchases, and do not expect to extract your balance directly. If you generate profits from selling on BUFF163, plan to convert them through Arcanas or request a trusted partner in China to facilitate the withdrawal.

Unique features

Market dominance and liquidity

The single most important feature of BUFF163 is its sheer size. With 32,031 items listed, 4.4 million active offers, and $144.4 million in total marketplace value, BUFF163 offers liquidity and selection that no competitor matches. If you are looking for a specific skin, specific float range, or specific pattern, your odds of finding it on BUFF163 are substantially higher than anywhere else.

Liquidity also means prices are efficient. With millions of transactions happening daily, the market price on BUFF163 reflects genuine supply and demand. Rare items move, common items have consistent pricing, and outliers get corrected quickly.

Pattern and float-specific searching

BUFF163 lets you search for skins by incredibly specific criteria. You can filter by weapon, finish name, float value range, and even pattern specifics. For collectors who care about these details, this level of granularity is essential.

Historical pricing data

The platform maintains historical pricing records that show you how much specific items have sold for over time. This helps you understand whether a current listing is competitively priced or inflated.

Regional pricing arbitrage opportunities

Because BUFF163 is dominant in Asia but also serves Western markets, price discrepancies sometimes exist between regions. Sophisticated traders exploit these discrepancies by buying low in one market and selling high in another, generating profit from the spread. This is technically allowed but requires understanding both markets.

Trustworthiness and safety

BUFF163’s size and NetEase backing make it a legitimate platform, but there are important trust considerations.

NetEase backing and legitimacy

NetEase is a major publicly traded company. The company has regulatory exposure, legal accountability, and reputational risk. This is not an anonymous operation. BUFF163 operates under the legal structure of a company with billions in market value and thousands of employees. This legitimacy matters for trust.

Trustpilot reputation

BUFF163 holds a 2.7 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot based on 91 reviews. This is significantly lower than competing marketplaces like CSFloat (4.8 stars) or DMarket (4.0 stars). The reviews reveal a consistent complaint: payment and withdrawal friction for international users.

The low Trustpilot rating should be interpreted carefully. BUFF163 works well for Chinese users but not for international users who struggle with payment methods and withdrawal options. The rating reflects that the platform was built for one market first and adapted for international users second, with mixed results.

Monthly traffic and market position

BUFF163 attracts 2.1 million monthly visits. For perspective, that is large scale but smaller than competitors like CSFloat (11.7 million) or DMarket (2.2 million). The traffic confirms BUFF163’s dominance in certain regions (China) while showing that Western marketplaces attract more traffic from Western players.

The traffic concentration in China is unsurprising and reflects the platform’s origin and primary user base.

Price dominance as a trust mechanism

The fact that BUFF163 is used as the global price reference creates a form of accountability. If BUFF163 were to operate dishonestly, traders would shift to alternative platforms and the price discovery mechanism would collapse. The price discovery role itself is a form of trust mechanism because it is high visibility and easy to verify.

Regulatory environment

BUFF163 operates under Chinese law and regulations. China’s government maintains strict oversight of financial transactions and online commerce. This creates both strengths and limitations. Strength: the company has to operate within a regulated framework with enforcement. Limitation: changes in Chinese policy could affect the platform at any time.

Pros and cons

A balanced assessment requires understanding what BUFF163 does well and where it falls short.

Advantages

BUFF163 operates the largest CS2 skin marketplace in the world with 32,031 items and $144.4 million in total value. The inventory represents 81% of all CS2 items in existence, giving you the best odds of finding specific skins. The BUFF price is the global reference standard for skin pricing, meaning market prices on BUFF163 are efficient and accurate. NetEase backing provides legitimacy, operational stability, and access to serious technology infrastructure. The 2.50% seller fee is competitive compared to many alternatives. The platform supports buy orders and automated purchasing for sophisticated traders. Search filtering by float value and pattern specifics is granular and powerful. Historical pricing data helps you understand market trends. The marketplace has been operating since 2018 and has not collapsed or disappeared, indicating operational stability. The platform does not require API key sharing, which is more secure than some alternatives.

Disadvantages

BUFF163 severely limits payment options for non-Chinese users, accepting only Alipay and WeChat Pay, which require a Chinese bank account for most people. Withdrawal for non-Chinese users is not directly supported, forcing you to use workarounds like DOTA 2 Arcanas or informal partnerships with players in China. The Trustpilot rating of 2.7 out of 5 is substantially lower than competing marketplaces, and the reviews predominantly cite payment and withdrawal frustration. Monthly traffic of 2.1 million is lower than leading competitors, indicating Western players prefer alternative platforms. Customer support responsiveness is not cited as a strength in user reviews. The platform is subject to Chinese government regulation, which could change at any time. For Western players, BUFF163 functions primarily as a buying marketplace, not a bidirectional trading platform. The fee structure (2.50%) is not the lowest available, with DMarket and CSFloat offering 2.0% and 2.0% respectively.

Inventory and availability

Total marketplace inventory

BUFF163 hosts 32,031 individual skin listings. This is the largest inventory of any CS2 marketplace. For context, the inventory represents 81% of all CS2 items that exist in the game. If you are searching for a specific weapon, finish name, float range, or pattern, BUFF163 has the highest probability of having that item listed.

The inventory is dynamic. Items sell continuously and new items are listed constantly. During high-volume trading periods, new items appear within minutes. Popular items move quickly.

Total number of offers

The marketplace shows 4.4 million active offers. These are pending transactions where buyers have made offers to sellers, where sellers have accepted buy offers and are waiting for Steam trade confirmations, or where automated systems are processing transactions. The sheer volume indicates vigorous trading activity and market efficiency.

With 4.4 million active offers, the marketplace is processing transactions continuously and at significant scale.

Marketplace value concentration

The total marketplace value is $144.4 million. This is the largest total value of any CS2 marketplace. The value is distributed across 32,031 items, which means the average item value is approximately $4,500. This is a much higher average than smaller marketplaces and reflects BUFF163’s concentration of high-value collectibles and rare items.

The value concentration means BUFF163 is not just larger by count, but larger by total wealth. Serious collectors and investors tend to consolidate their portfolios on BUFF163 because that is where the deep liquidity exists.

Item coverage by category

BUFF163’s 32,031 items represent broad coverage across all CS2 weapon categories. Knives, rifles, pistols, grenades, and other equipment types are all well represented. Finishes range from Factory New to Battle-Scarred. Patterns include rare and common variations.

The breadth of coverage means whether you are looking for a common rifle skin or a rare knife pattern, BUFF163 is statistically your best option.

Average pricing and discounts

Market pricing baseline

BUFF163 sets the baseline for global CS2 skin pricing. Other marketplaces price relative to BUFF163, not the other way around. This means understanding BUFF163 pricing is essential for understanding the global market.

Average discounts on BUFF163 are 32.5% below Steam Community Marketplace pricing. This makes sense because BUFF163 skips Steam’s cut and because the BUFF163 community consists of active traders optimizing for value, not casual players making emotional purchases.

The 32.5% discount is substantial. A skin worth $100 on Steam might sell for $67.50 on BUFF163. This creates arbitrage opportunities for traders with access to both marketplaces, though Steam’s trading restrictions limit who can exploit this.

Pricing variation across categories

Pricing varies significantly across weapon categories. High-rarity items (knives, specific patterns) tend to have larger premiums and more pricing variation because transaction volume is lower. Common items (standard rifle skins in standard finishes) have tighter pricing because transaction volume is higher and price discovery is more efficient.

Float value is the primary driver of pricing within categories. A Factory New item with a float of 0.00001 can command 5 to 10 times the price of a Factory New item with a float of 0.07999, even though both items are technically Factory New.

Account requirements and verification

Basic account creation

Creating an account on BUFF163 requires an email address, a password, and basic profile information. For Chinese users, additional identity verification is required. For international users, basic account creation can proceed with minimal verification.

The account creation process is straightforward and takes minutes.

Enhanced verification for large transactions

If you plan to buy or sell high-value items (above certain thresholds that vary by region), BUFF163 may require identity verification. This verification typically requires providing a valid government ID. Verification processes can take anywhere from minutes to several days depending on volume and thoroughness.

For casual traders buying and selling items under $500, verification is often not required. For serious traders managing portfolios worth thousands of dollars, verification is a necessary step.

Steam connection

You must authorize BUFF163 to access your Steam inventory and execute trades on your behalf. This is a one-time authorization that you can revoke at any time from your Steam account settings. No Steam password is required.

Top countries and user distribution

BUFF163’s user base is heavily concentrated in specific regions. According to the platform’s traffic data:

China accounts for 34% of traffic, which is expected given the platform’s origin and domestic focus. The United States accounts for 8.5% of traffic, representing the largest Western market. Germany accounts for 5.7% of traffic. Russia accounts for 4.9% of traffic, though this may have shifted due to geopolitical factors. Ukraine accounts for 3.6% of traffic.

The remaining 43.3% of traffic comes from smaller markets across Europe, Asia, South America, and other regions.

This distribution explains why BUFF163 functions smoothly for Chinese users and more awkwardly for Western players. The platform was built for the 34% majority, and international features were added as an afterthought.

Using BUFF163 as a price reference

Even if you never intend to create an account on BUFF163, understanding how to use the platform as a price reference is valuable.

When you find a skin on another marketplace and wonder if the price is fair, you can check BUFF163 to see what the market price is. If the item is listed on BUFF163, you can see the asking price directly. If the item is not listed (because it is very rare or has a specific pattern that has not appeared recently), you can look at comparable items to estimate the fair price.

BUFF163’s price index is transparent and accessible. Learning to use it is a basic skill for anyone serious about CS2 skin trading.

The future of BUFF163

BUFF163’s future depends on several factors: whether the Chinese government continues to allow the platform to operate as currently structured, whether Western players find the payment and withdrawal limitations acceptable enough to sustain the platform’s non-Chinese user base, and whether competitors continue to consolidate their position among Western players.

In the short term, BUFF163’s dominance is likely to continue. The 32,031-item inventory and $144.4 million in marketplace value represent a network effect that is difficult for competitors to overcome. Players need liquidity, and liquidity flows to BUFF163 because it is the largest platform.

In the medium term, Western players are likely to continue gravitating toward platforms like CSFloat and DMarket that were designed with their payment systems and regulatory environment in mind. BUFF163 will remain important for price discovery and inventory depth, but less central to the day-to-day trading of Western players.

Final assessment

BUFF163 is the world’s largest CS2 skin marketplace and the primary price discovery mechanism for the global CS2 economy. It is the right platform if you are a Chinese user or if you have access to Alipay or WeChat Pay and are comfortable with the withdrawal workarounds required for international users. It is the wrong platform if you expect seamless international payment and withdrawal functionality.

For Western players, BUFF163 is best used as a price reference and as an occasional buying platform (if you can solve the payment problem), not as your primary trading venue. Use DMarket or CSFloat for primary trading, and use BUFF163 to understand whether the prices you are getting elsewhere are competitive.

For collectors and serious traders, monitoring BUFF163 constantly is necessary because that is where the market is. For casual players, understanding that BUFF163 sets the standard is sufficient. You do not need to use BUFF163 directly, but you should understand how it influences the prices you see everywhere else.

Additional considerations

Security and account protection

BUFF163 uses standard security measures including SSL encryption and supports two-factor authentication. You should enable 2FA on your account and ensure your Steam account has Steam Guard enabled. The platform does not require you to share your Steam API key, which is more secure than some alternatives.

Standard precautions apply: use a unique password, never share your login credentials, and be cautious of phishing attempts that claim to be from BUFF163 support.

Scam prevention

Because BUFF163 is a P2P marketplace, scams are theoretically possible. However, the platform’s scale makes scams difficult. Trades happen through Steam’s official trade system, which prevents the seller from taking your money and disappearing without sending the item. The escrow system is built into Steam itself, not controlled by BUFF163.

That said, price manipulation and pattern fraud are possible. Sellers might misrepresent the condition of a skin or its pattern specifics. The platform’s detailed search filters help you verify what you are buying, but due diligence is your responsibility.

Market cycles and timing

CS2 skin prices move with trends just like any asset class. High-rarity items are subject to collector psychology and speculation. Understanding that these cycles exist helps you avoid buying peaks and selling valleys. BUFF163’s historical pricing data is useful for understanding recent trends, though longer-term cycles sometimes take years to complete.

Comparison to other marketplaces

BUFF163 leads in total inventory value and inventory breadth, but trails in customer satisfaction (Trustpilot rating) and ease of use for international players. DMarket offers superior withdrawal options. CSFloat offers superior float transparency and automation. BUFF163 offers superior inventory and pricing depth.

The choice of marketplace should reflect your priorities: if you want maximum inventory and the global price reference, BUFF163 is essential. If you want ease of use and international accessibility, CSFloat or DMarket are better bets. If you want multiple withdrawal options, DMarket is the strongest choice.

Understanding the BUFF price premium

Items sometimes command a premium on BUFF163 compared to smaller platforms because BUFF163 has the most liquidity and the most buyers. A collector willing to pay more will visit BUFF163 first because that is where the selection is. This creates a virtuous cycle where BUFF163 attracts more buyers, which attracts more sellers, which increases the inventory, which attracts more buyers.

The premium is usually modest (5-15%) but it exists and should be understood when comparing prices across platforms.

Arbitrage and sophisticated trading strategies

BUFF163’s dominance creates arbitrage opportunities for traders with access to multiple platforms and markets. You might buy a skin low on a Western marketplace and sell it high on BUFF163, or vice versa depending on current market dynamics. These strategies require capital, timing, and understanding of multiple markets, but they are viable for serious traders.

The arbitrage spreads are usually small (2-5%) after accounting for fees and friction, but on high-volume or high-value items, the absolute dollar amounts can be significant.

Conclusion

BUFF163 is the world’s largest CS2 skin marketplace, and it is essential to understand its role in the global economy even if you never create an account. The BUFF price is the reference point for the entire industry. The inventory represents 81% of all CS2 items. The total marketplace value of $144.4 million dwarfs all competitors.

For Chinese users, BUFF163 is the obvious primary marketplace. For Western users, BUFF163 is a price reference, a liquidity backup, and an inventory depth that your primary marketplace cannot match. Use it strategically rather than exclusively, understand that international payment and withdrawal are friction points, and recognize that its dominance in pricing is accompanied by concentration risk.

The platform is 7 years old, operates at massive scale, and is backed by a multi-billion-dollar company. It is not going away. Learning to use BUFF163 or at least to interpret its prices is a necessary skill for anyone serious about CS2 skin trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BUFF163 charge for CS2 skin sales?

BUFF163 charges a 2.5% seller commission on all skin transactions, slightly higher than DMarket’s 2% but competitive for a P2P marketplace with massive inventory.

Who owns BUFF163?

BUFF163 is owned by NetEase, the major Chinese gaming company. This backing ensures platform stability and security for the world’s largest CS2 marketplace.

What payment methods does BUFF163 accept?

BUFF163 primarily accepts Alipay and WeChat Pay for payouts, making it ideal for Asian traders but limiting access for international players outside China’s payment ecosystem.

How is BUFF163 different from other marketplaces?

BUFF163 operates a pure peer-to-peer model with no trading bots, meaning all trades happen between real players. This creates the largest inventory of available skins.

What is BUFF163’s market value?

BUFF163 is valued at approximately 144.4 million dollars, reflecting its position as the dominant CS2 marketplace globally with unmatched liquidity and trading volume.

How many players use BUFF163?

BUFF163 receives approximately 2.1 million visits per month, establishing it as the world’s most popular CS2 skin trading platform.

Is BUFF163 available for international players?

While BUFF163 is accessible internationally, its payment infrastructure is primarily designed for Asian markets with Alipay and WeChat support, making it challenging for non-Asian players.