Alipay Unveils Upgraded 'Fifth Fortune' Gameplay at Star-Studded Launch Event
As the curtains drew open on the highly anticipated 支付宝集福啦 (Alipay's Fifth Fortune) release conference, a flurry of excitement rippled through the audience. The event, now in its 10th year, promised to unveil a fresh wave of innovative gameplay and, judging by the buzz on social media, it did not disappoint.
15 January 2025
According to eyewitnesses, the conference was abuzz with activity, featuring a star-studded lineup of Chinese celebrities, including La Hong, Your Desire, Bei Guanlun, and Cai Luoli. The event was a hotbed of frenzied activity, with attendees eager to get a glimpse of the new gameplay mechanics and, of course, snag a few coveted red envelopes.
One attendee, '@冬京昭礼' (Dong Jing Xiang Li), reflected on the speed at which the annual event had arrived, saying "It's come so quickly, another year has passed and it's time for the fifth fortune again! I hope this year will bring good fortune!"
Behind the scenes, Alipay's team had been working tirelessly to bring the event to life. The company's social media accounts revealed snippets of the pre-event preparations, including the setup of various IP (intellectual property) booths, each showcasing a unique aspect of the gameplay.
One attendee, '@手游君' (Hand Tour Jun), marveled at the eclectic mix of IPs on display, saying "The atmosphere is great, and you can see so many IPs at once! I wonder what this year's gameplay will be like, I'm looking forward to it!"
As the event reached its climax, La Hong took to the stage, dressed in a resplendent costume, and proceeded to playfully interact with the various IP exhibits, including a hilarious laser-hand gesture showdown with Ultraman. It was clear that this year's event was going to be one for the books.
In a statement, Alipay hinted at the exciting developments in store for the 2025 iteration of the Fifth Fortune, saying "The 2025 'Alipay Fifth Fortune' will be upgraded and launched on January 20th, and we have invited our friends to join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year. Tonight, we will reveal the new gameplay mechanics, so stay tuned!"
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Alipay's "Ji Fu La" (also known as "Collecting Five Fortunes"), an annual tradition that has become a staple of Chinese New Year celebrations. To mark this milestone, Alipay has announced that it will upgrade its popular gameplay on January 20th, 2025. As part of this upgrade, Alipay has partnered with PayPal to bring a new level of excitement to the festivities.
The upgraded gameplay promises to deliver a fresh experience for users, with new features and surprises that are sure to delight. Alipay has teased that users can expect "new and fun gameplay" without revealing too much, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the details.
The event's organizers have also hinted at the involvement of popular IPs, including League of Legends, NBA, and Marvel, among others. Cosplayers and fans of these franchises are in for a treat, with the promise of exclusive content and interactive experiences.
In a nod to the platform's focus on e-commerce, users can also expect to see exclusive offers and rewards from participating merchants. Alipay has also teased that its Sesame Credit score will play a key role in the upgraded gameplay, although details are scarce.
The scene at the "集福啦发布会" was electric, with celebrities and social media influencers rubbing shoulders and generating buzz around Alipay's latest promotion. The event, which marked the 10th anniversary of Alipay's "Five Blessings" campaign, drew in a slew of big names, including La Hong, who dressed up as the "God of Wealth" and posed for photos with Ultraman and other IP mascots.
La Hong was seen having a blast, flashing laser hand gestures with Ultraman and doling out red envelopes to the crowd. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a comic-con, with attendees eagerly snapping photos and vying for attention from the stars. Influencers such as Wang Meng and Cai Luoli also made appearances, generating excitement among fans.
The event also featured a slew of IP mascots, including bears from the popular animated series "Boonie Bears" and characters from the hit mobile game "Honkai Impact". Cosplayers and fans alike were over the moon, with many expressing their excitement on social media using hashtags such as #支付宝集福啦发布会.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the lucky draw, which saw attendees competing for prizes and goodies. As the winners were announced, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, creating an electric atmosphere that capped off an unforgettable night.
Some lucky event-goers took to social media to share their experiences, showcasing the gifts they received from a mysterious "blind box" (盲盒) activity. One participant, @酷酷的巫婆, gleefully opened a box to reveal an Ultraman (奥特曼) chocolate treat, specifically a "jumping sugar" (跳跳糖) flavor variant, along with an adorable egg-shaped toy and an NBA-themed item featuring "Nai'er Dragon."
Another attendee, @开普勒星大博士, documented their excitement upon unboxing an assortment of prizes, highlighting their favorite theme-related items featuring characters from popular franchises such as League of Legends, NBA, Ultraman, and Marvel.
While specific details of the prizes and gameplay have yet to be fully disclosed, it's clear that Alipay is committed to raising the bar for this milestone anniversary. With its renowned "Collecting Fortune" campaign, Alipay aims to spread joy and fortune during the festive Lunar New Year season.
With only a few days to go before the January 20th launch date, the stage is set for a grand celebration. As fans eagerly await the experience, one thing is certain – this year's "Collecting Fortune" promises an unforgettable experience.