One is a powerful leader of a Southeast Asian economic powerhouse of a nation. The other is one of the world’s most popular video games that has spawned a massive following and the largest prize pool in the esports industry.
Last Saturday, these two unlikely bedfellows met — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took a gander at ganking noobs in Dota 2.
The Singaporean premier dropped by Yio Chu Kang Community Club last Saturday to attend the inaugural Yio Game On event, where residents of all ages took part in the good ol’ art of playing games together. Aside from esports tournaments involving Mobile Legends and Clash Royale, a segment of the event was a Dota 2 beginner’s class run by Singapore’s Cybersports & Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) esports academy. And PM Lee was right there to wreck some Ancients.
While we doubt that he got into the weeds with jungling, farming and stacking techniques, it appears that PM Lee came away with slightly more knowledge about the massive esports industry and why Valve’s perennial classic will be included in this year’s SEA Games.
But that wasn’t the end of PM Lee’s geeky day out. He made sure to stop by a Pokemon Trading Card Game showdown too, citing familiarity with it — his own children were trainers as teenagers.
Getting aggro
Singapore Is Finally Getting Serious About Gaming
Why the hype matters: For the past decade, the government and the gaming industry have been neck‑to‑neck in Singapore. If you’re in the city‑state, chances are you or someone you know has spent hours grinding in a game or cheerfully binge‑watching streamers on Twitch or YouTube. Those digital playgrounds aren’t just a pastime – they’re a bustling economy.
From Basement to Big Bucks
Remember the old stigma that gamers were “losers who never grew up”? It’s past tense now. The industry is projected to hit a staggering $1.1 billion in revenue this year alone, thanks to sponsorships, media rights, advertising, and merch. Add in the global 453.8 million esports viewers, and it’s clear why hubs like Singapore are finally catching up.
Government + Labels = Power Play
- Singapore still feels behind the global esports curve, largely because of a lingering national bias against video games.
- Brands and government bodies are scrambling to tap into the growing market, recognising the huge audience and financial upside.
- A panel last week featured Alan Chou, CEO of gaming marketplace Meta.us, who highlighted why esports is a must‑invest for both big firms and public bodies.
Insights from the Panel
When Alan Chou spoke on the viability of esports across Asia, he painted a picture of a future where:
- Gamers evolve into high-earning pros instead of the stereotypical “bedroom dwellers.”
- Local policies adapt to support tournaments, streaming, and related tech entrepreneurship.
- Brands view esports not just as a trend, but a sustainable channel for sponsorship and engagement.
In short, Southeast Asia—Singapore included—is turning the once‑taboo gaming scene into a powerhouse of innovation, investment, and vibrant community.
“The new generation spends a lot more time on content through their phone than on the TV. On websites, they have Adblock to conceal the ads,” he stated on stage during the Echelon Asia Summit 2019.
“So how do you reach this unreachable audience? By aligning yourself with video game content.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that local government bodies are taking an active interest in esports to engage with youth. SCOGA’s Esports Academy is supported by the National Youth Council; an Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) event hosted a regional Mobile Legends tournament; and now, PM Lee knows how to play Dota 2.
[email protected]
DigitalGaming/Video games
