Gamers and esports in Singapore can take heart in their sport making strong strides toward being professionally sustainable with the launch of Singapore’s primary trade association for the gaming and esports industry, Singapore Games Association (SGGA).
The venture is robustly supported by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The booming gaming industry has likely given SGGA a strong launchpad, with revenue in the Video Games segment projected to reach US$130m in 2020 and US$138mby 2024, according to Statista.
SGGA is set to build upon the foundations lain by the Singapore Games Guild (SGG), which was a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2017 as a sister organisation to the International Games Development Association Singapore.
Where SGG advocated for the creation of made-in-Singapore games by supporting locally developed games, SGGA will serve as an enabler to the entirety of the gaming and esports industry in Singapore.
While its undertakings are seemingly more commercial, SGGA remains a non-profit membership-based Association. Members will have access to local and international gaming networks and will be able to explore global opportunities with the trade body.
“SGGA will retain a core element of SGG — uniting the local community through events, celebrating local games and offering our talent a friendly, nurturing home to explore, grow and connect with potential collaborators — and offer more,” said Gwen Guo, who will chair SGGA, in a press release.
SGGA’s steps toward sustainability include the administration of Singapore’s first-ever accreditation scheme for the gaming and esports industry. The trade body will also facilitate and initiate programmes to foster community engagement and to raise the professional standards of gamers in Singapore.
One of their initiatives is the simply termed “Singapore Esports”, which will provide holistic development in our industries and posit Singapore as a choice destination for international esports tournaments and events.
Although seemingly ambitious, SGGA’s targets will be held by sizeable industry experience and veterans who have paved the way for its establishment. SGGA is chaired by Gwen Guo, Creative Director of game audio services studio Imba Interactive. Elicia Lee, managing director of Eliphant, will work alongside Guo as the vice-chairperson. Eliphant is a well-known player in the industry, specialising in game marketing, events such as GameStart Asia, live stream production, and esports in Asia.
The two will also be supported by an Executive Committee and an Advisory Board comprised of industry professionals.
“It is an exciting time to rally the gaming and esports industry and work together to uplift our expertise and break new ground, as we fly the Singapore flag high on the world stage. We look forward to nurturing a more resilient and innovative industry with sustained growth and opportunities through infrastructure and capabilities building,” said Guo.
SGGA will ground its presence in the local gaming industry as soon as this August, with upcoming plans to work with the organisers of Gamescom Asia to showcase digital versions of made-in-Singapore games.
Companies registered in Singapore and Singapore-based individual — including freelancers — can look forward to SGG launching its paid membership programme in the third quarter of 2020. Members will enjoy privileges on rates and access to initiatives led by SGGA, as well as access to local and overseas event participation, resources, networking opportunities, focus groups, and training courses through SGGA’s partner networks.
With the objective of being a platform for thought leadership in the industry, SGGA will also collaborate with educational institutions, SMEs and corporations to propel the training and hiring of talent in the field. The trade body will work to address misconceptions about gaming and esports while highlighting the flourishing presence of career opportunities in the games industry.
“The SGGA’s goal is to engage with and represent the full spectrum of Singapore’s gaming and esports ecosystem, which although small, is diverse,” said Lee.
