E-sports and E-gaming in Singapore

Asia is the most significant e-games market globally, with 45 percent of the world’s gamers based in the region, but it is also one of its most competitive. E-gaming encompasses the total electronic gaming industry from video game consoles to PC and mobile games, online streaming services as well as the e-sports industry.  E-sports is a shortened term for “Electronic sports” and refers to the professional and competitive gaming side of the e-gaming sector.  The prediction is that the Southeast Asia market will triple from 2017 to 2023.  

Singapore’s gaming industry is small but has much growth potential. Players in Singapore spent USD327 million (2019) on games, making it a key player in the Southeast Asia games market. Forty-six percent of the online population (3.8 million gamers) watched video game content, and 21 percent looked at e-sport. Twenty-three percent of games played in Singapore are “time fillers” (games played on mobile phones to fill time). The Games and e-sports industry here was estimated to have grown 15 percent between 2019 and 2020 to around 220 games-related companies. 

A 2020 Rakuten Insight survey found that in the online population, 74 percent of men and 68 percent of women play mobile games. The same study found that 40 percent of female respondents preferred playing massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORG) and real-time strategy games. The top 3 respondent age groups were 72 percent (16-24 years old), 68 percent (25-34 years old), and 57 percent of respondents (35-44 years old). Puzzle is the top mobile genre (34 percent), followed closely by Strategy (32 percent) and action/adventure (24 percent). The top genres on PC were shooter (30 percent), Role-Playing Games (RPG )30 percent and Strategy (27 percent).  Subscription is growing in importance, as is local gaming companies.  

Singapore’s ability to host significant e-sports events contributes to the development of the local industry. Mobile Legends Bang Bang M2World Championship, ONE E-sports DOTA 2 Singapore Major, First Global Wild Rift tournament, and Inaugural Global e-Sports Games were all held here. Singapore will have more events, given its robust digital and business infrastructure (commercial 5G).

In Singapore, nearly 2,000 people were employed in the games sector in 2021 in content creation, product management, UI/UX design, and business development. The future will see the profound use and effect of artificial intelligence(AI), user-generated content (UGC), Non-Fungible Token (NFT), blockchain, metaverse, etc.

There are many American companies that are strong in both the e-gaming and e-sports sectors and they should note that the industry will present many opportunities and potential for growth. Singapore is keen to leverage e-sports to help boost physical activity and customize it for people with disabilities-Digital Therapeutics (DTx). E-sports present training opportunities by imbuing values about teamwork and creativity. The games platform is also relevant for the film, animation, architecture, and automotive industries. 
  
United States companies may consider getting first-hand knowledge at Gamescom Asia on October 20-22, 2022, at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore. Gamescom Asia is the satellite exhibition and conference event of Gamescom in Cologne, the world’s largest gaming event for computer and video games.

United States companies wishing to learn more, explore opportunities, or partner with Singapore entities may contact Amelia Yeo.