Discover the Singapore Trade Association Supporting Indie Game Developers and Attracting Overseas Companies

The Singapore Games Association (SGGA) is working to promote and grow the gaming industry in the city-state, supporting both indie game developers and attracting overseas firms. Don Baey, chairperson of the SGGA and business development director at indie developer Trueworld Studios, discussed the association's role and the challenges facing indie game developers in Singapore. Baey started his career in the gaming industry at Ubisoft and later worked in the government, where he was involved in a project to promote and support the gaming industry. This experience led him to fall in love with the indie gaming scene and to become a founding member of the SGGA. The association was initially known as the Singapore Games Guild and was not formalized as a trade association until later. It has since grown and now provides various initiatives, including monthly get-togethers and networking opportunities, to support the gaming community in Singapore. According to Baey, there are over 160 gaming-related companies in Singapore, with 50% of them being developers and 10% being publishers. However, the industry faces challenges such as a high cost of living, competition for talent, and limited funding opportunities. The SGGA is working to address these challenges by providing opportunities for game developers to network and share their experiences. The association is also focused on promoting Singapore as a hub for the gaming industry and attracting overseas companies to the city-state. Baey emphasized the importance of building a strong gaming ecosystem in Singapore, which includes providing education and training opportunities for game developers. The SGGA is also working with other trade associations in Southeast Asia to promote diversity and inclusivity in the gaming industry. By promoting Singapore as a gaming hub and supporting indie game developers, the SGGA is helping to grow the gaming industry in the city-state and promote it as a major player in the global gaming market.