Singapore is set to stage the first Global Esports Games, which aims to bring together esports, virtual sport, music and entertainment, said the Global Esports Federation (GEF). The Federation has also vowed to establish a World Esports Tour, which it claims will be “a professional-level esports tournament held across the year in geographically diverse leading and emerging cities”.
The Global Esports Games will feature teams from across the world participating in multi-title esports competitions and active esports, according to the GEF. The first Global Esports Games to be held in December in Singapore this year will provide the opportunity to showcase esports to the world, said the President of the Singapore Esports Association (SGEA). They added that they are grateful to have the opportunity to host the historic event.
Co-Chairs of the Coordination Commission for the Global Esports Games noted that appointing the right host cities is a key to success. They will lend their support and guidance so the host cities can unleash their full potential and the incredible untold stories of the power of esports and sports as the future of entertainment can be unlocked, too.
The GEF said that the energy, skill and passion of esports, and the technologies that drive it, are captured in the GEF motto: #worldconnected. Carrying that forward to the Global Esports Games, he said that they have listened to the athletes and players, the incredible publishers and developers, and the wider community to create a platform for athletes to shine, representing countries and territories as in other prestigious multi-sport competitions.
As per reports, Singapore has several measures in place supporting start-ups and companies in the burgeoning video gaming and e-sports industry, which has seen success stories, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing. There are both financial and non-financial support measures and the government also has plans to foster a robust talent pool and vibrant ecosystem in Singapore, added the Minister.
Amid rapid growth, the video games and e-sports industries generated more than US$140 billion globally last year. Almost half of this came from the Asia-Pacific, Minister said. The games industry has also catalysed the growth of other companies in the ecosystem which are globally prominent lifestyle brands among gamers today. Government agencies have been supporting local start-ups and companies in this space, adding that Singapore is building on such successes in several ways.
First, when it comes to helping companies grow, the Start-up SG initiative – launched in 2017 – provides a range of financial and non-financial support options like mentorship and start-up capital support through the Start-up SG Founder programme. There are also sector-specific initiatives. One example is the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) PIXEL innovation space, which offers incubation and co-working spaces for digital start-ups.
Second, the country is deepening its capabilities by building a robust talent pipeline for the video games industry. Courses in this area are available at Nanyang Polytechnic and local game school DigiPen Institute said the Minister. The IMDA also works with the Economic Development Board (EDM) to attract internationally acclaimed studios to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to gain experience before starting their studios.
Lastly, Singapore has also been building “international mindshare”, said the minister. The region’s first e-sports and music festival held in Singapore about three years ago during the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – was attended by more than 8,000 youths of different backgrounds. It also featured the first ASEAN tournament of popular game League of Legends, said the Minister.
The Singapore Tourism Board will continue to look out for other major events that can be hosted in Singapore to further augment the country’s position as a video games and e-sports hub in the region.
