INTERNATIONAL FACTFILE Wholesaler and distributor of video games, consoles and accessories Singapore
MCV takes a look at how online gaming is becoming increasingly popular within the region
THE FACTS Population: 5,312,400 Currency: Singapore dollar GDP (Per Capita): $50,323 Language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil
KEY RETAILERS FunzSquare, Hi-Star Multimedia, HMV, K H Time Trading, Mega Multimedia, Playcraft, Qisahn, Replay Interactive, Seow Choon Games, SG Cardmart, Teraforce Distribution, Yimpact
ABOUT THE MARKET
SINGAPORE, like its neighbour Hong Kong, is home to one of the world’s leading financial districts and has managed to attract several major companies.
Over 62 games developers, publishers and services companies have a home in Singapore. These range from big industry players like Ubisoft and Gameloft to successful indie developers like Ratloop Asia and more recently Ludochip, a two- man operation which recently made its way onto Steam with its puzzle game Cubetractor. Singapore is also EA’s regional headquarters for Asia Pacific and houses a studio which is used for translating EA’s output into different Asian languages. More recently, Namco Bandai announced it was opening a development studio in the region, whilst players of World of Tanksin Singapore now experience smoother gameplay with
48 Around the World Over 62 games
developers, publishers and services companies have a home in Singapore.
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The MDA has come in for criticism in the past, when banning titles like the original Mass Effect due to its lesbian sex scene. The organisation came under more scrutiny in June this year
Wargaming setting up a server group and dedicated customer support services in the country. All releases are rated by the Media Development Authority under its official video games classification system, which was introduced in 2008.
when several Singapore-based websites took part in a 24-hour online blackout as a means of highlighting their disagreement of the MDA’s licensing scheme for local news websites. The new licence means selected sites have to comply within 24 hours if the MDA asks to remove content and sites have to pay a performance bond of S$50,000.
Online gaming in Singapore has become more popular in the country and an association has been created purely to promote and educate people on all things online gaming. Singapore’s Cybersports and Online Gaming Association was set up by a group of gamers and the organisation has established the Gamer Assistance Program, a S$20,000 fund to help gamers fulfil their dreams of representing Singapore on the world stage, competing in overseas tournaments and eSports competitions.
www.mcvuk.com
TOP DEVELOPERS
Activate, Asiasoft Online, Boomzap Entertainment, Daylight Studios, Ludochip, Lionstork Studios, Magma Studios, Planet Arkadia, Ratloop Asia, Zealot Digital
NOTABLE GAMES FIRMS WITH A LOCAL OFFICE
Boomzap, DeNA, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, GREE, LucasArts, Microsoft, Namco Bandai, Sony Computer Entertainment, Tecmo Koei, Ubisoft
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