ESPORTS events may have been halted by the pandemic, but the number of new people taking to gaming consoles has been on the rise.
The US$1.5 bn (projected 2023) esports industry has seen a doubling of viewership to 646 million in six years and is expected to continue growing.
While the pandemic may have halted physical events, it has also resulted in more regional activities that could widen the growth of esports as travel and interaction restrictions ease.
Once considered a waste of one’s youth and the reason behind poor performances in school, esports has seen its status elevated as it develops a vibrant ecosystem, and, importantly, offers prize money.
In this WED WEB CHAT — A Future In Esports? panellists talk about the importance of nurturing talent for esports and the digital future. This is part of of the JOBS20XX – Work In Progress series of discussions presented with OUE Limited.
Some of the issues discussed (you can watch the full WED WEB CHAT in the last video below):
How do we cope with talent loss?
Should schools embrace esports?
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What roles beyond becoming gamers can the esports ecosystem offer?
Is this a possible platform for aging societies to help curb the effects of dementia?
How will the inaugural Global Esports Games to be held in Singapore in December 2021 help boost the industry in the region?
Ng Chong Geng, the President of the Singapore Esports Association and a co-founder of the Global Esports Federation (GEF), and Mark Chay, Director of Secretariat at GEF talk about the transferable skills that will help esports athletes navigate the virtual and real worlds.
By developing an ecosystem and new job opportunities, more people would find a career in esports attractive, just as in other professional endeavours.
Esports athlete Amraan Gani has enjoyed more success playing FIFA Online than on the football field. A semi-professional Esports athlete, Amraan trains daily, especially when it comes time for tournaments.
He says the younger challengers are rising through the ranks and they should benefit from a well-developed ecosystem.
Watch the video to hear Amraan’s thoughts on the Young Turks of esports.
How much time does your child spend playing video games? Even if your child is an esport athlete, you should be mindful if he or she is training or addicted to the game. Chong Geng explains the differences.
To develop a strong Esports industry, Mark Chay feels it should be included in the school curriculum. Otherwise the talent pool will be depleted of potential winners.
Beyond trying to be a professional gamer, what other opportunities could be developed to encourage people to join the Esports industry? Coaches and commentators are among the possible jobs that could help develop young talent, and prepare them for the challenges in the real world, says Chong Geng.
Could Esports be inclusive so that it is not just a young person’s activity? Chong Geng says that as gaming works its way through the generations, more people will be playing across the age ranges.
Watch the full discussion of WED WEB CHAT — A Future In Esports? below.
Watch our previous wedwebchats: https://storm-asia.com/category/wed-web-chat/
If you have a topic that is of interest, or have someone who would make a good panellist with a thought-provoking perspective on a subject, please email editor@storm-asia.com with your details and a short summary.
