Your Excellencies,
Mr Christoph Werner, Senior Vice President of Koelnmesse,
Mr Don Baey, Chairperson of the Singapore Games Association,
Friends and colleagues,
1. Great to be back at Gamescom Asia again for the fourth time.
a. It is a huge privilege for Singapore to host this event year after year. We started in the height of Covid-19, we said that we will expand – last year we had about 33,000 visitors, and I understand this year we are expecting more than 40,000.
b. Thanks to Koelnmesse for organising, and all for making time to be present here.
2. My speech will focus on the environment – the world and the player – which represents all of us.
First, the Real and Virtual Worlds
3. First, let me talk about the real and the virtual worlds. The gaming industry continues to level up in our region, and Singapore is a ready-player.
a. Southeast Asia is the world’s fastest-growing e-sports market, nearly doubling from $39.2M in 2021 to $72.5M in 2024.
b. In the next three years, our video games and e-sports markets are projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% and 9.2% respectively.
c. We are climbing the leaderboards and have been selected as host city for multiple best-in-class e-sports titled events, including
i. Our first ever Olympic e-sports week
ii. BLAST PREMIER Counter Strike 2 World Finals 2024
iii. DOTA 2 tournaments in 2025
d. This year, Koelnmesse is bringing CAPCOM SUPER PREMIER Pro Tour here.
4. Singapore is home to many notable gaming companies like Ubisoft, Riot Games, and Razer, which provide great opportunities for our people.
a. More global companies have also expanded their presence here recently.
i. SNK opened a new development studio in June.
ii. Cygames set up a new overseas branch in Singapore in May.
5. And we will continue to level up both our position as one of Asia’s leading media and entertainment hubs, and our gaming industry.
6. I’d like to thank CAPCOM, PlayStation, Neopets for headlining Gamescom asia’s entertainment area this year.
7. So the world that I’ve just described is very exciting. I mean the virtual world we are all familiar with, and the real world which I have just described.
Second, People and Players
8. Which brings me to my second point – people and players. The players in the world, you and I, and our avatars are equally important.
9. The virtual and real world of gaming can spawn exciting jobs. Whether you have a knack for hard skills such as science and engineering, or softer skills such as art, design and media, there is always something for you in this industry.
a. Like game developers. Developing games is hard. Game developers must have both artistic and technical skills to design a good game, and make sure it renders well.
b. Game designers can unleash their creativity and build immersive worlds or narratives. And make a good living.
c. Software engineers can also make a good living by transforming code into sprawling virtual environments for players like us to explore.
d. You can also be on the frontlines as an e-sport player. Or like the good people here at Koelnmesse – be an excellent event organiser. Or be Raphael in Baldur’s Gate 3, like BAFTA-winning Andrew Wincott.
10. So there are many characters and roles you can play.
11. But gaming isn’t just fun; it can bring real life benefits beyond jobs.
12. Teamwork and Community: If you’re a gamer like me, you’ll know that gamers love teaming up with others to compete against each other or engage in co-op play. And we’re creating more opportunities to bring gamers together in the physical world.
a. Lianhe Zaobao, a local newspaper company, organised its first ever Community E-sports day in June 2023, and teams across different ages competed in “Mobile Legends, Bang Bang”.
b. We also have our E-sports Experience Centre at Kallang Wave Mall for families and gamers to enjoy and gather. I’ve been there a few times myself with my family to enjoy the gaming rooms, spaces for children and cafes for parents. Please visit!
13. Physical and mental benefits: Gaming also keeps our minds active and sharp – it can help slow down the cognitive decline that comes with ageing!
a. More physically active games such as cycling and dancing e-sports injects fun into exercising.
14. Build Important Personal Values: Gaming can also aid in our personal growth.
a. It helps build important personal values – teamwork, creativity, resilience, leadership, character, through completing milestones and missions as a team, and finding different ways to solve problems and improve.
b. As an avid gamer, I know this well. I enjoy the mental challenges, and the hand-eye coordination you need to beat a boss, say a yaoguai in Black Myth Wukong, or to defeat an opponent on FC25. Or to solve a puzzle in Assassin’s Creed, or to learn about a touching and complicated relationship between father and son in God of War.
15. Now I have not found my purpose through gaming, though I know my purpose for gaming: I enjoy it. But there are individuals who find their purpose through gaming.
a. For example, Sha Mohtar, or better known online as ZesBeeW, found his calling in gaming.
i. Sha enjoys gaming and has a natural flair for it. He has competed professionally in games such as Battlefield 4 and Counterstrike: Global offensive; and has won several titles and trophies.
ii. His success has even earned him some extra allowance!
b. Another example is Jolene Poh, or better known online as Lustreless.
i. Jolene started competing in the League of Legends at the age of 17, and one decade later, she is now part of Singapore’s debuting women’s e-sports team.
ii. Jolene achieved these while juggling a full-time job at an e-sports company, and studying part time at the SUSS!
c. Sha and Jolene are examples of how gaming is being increasingly recognised as a potential career path ― one that can bring as much success, meaning, and value as any other conventional career path.
16. So we have exciting real and virtual worlds, and our players are seriously levelling up!
Conclusion
17. Gamescom asia 2024 celebrates yet another milestone in the growth and development of the gaming industry for the region. As always, Singapore will be a strong supporter for the gaming industry.
18. So come, create, compete and collaborate! Thank you, and GAME ON!