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

At the Gamescom Asia event, former Sony executive Shawn Layden highlighted Southeast Asia as a region with immense opportunities for the games industry. The Singapore Games Association (SGGA) is working to capitalize on this potential by promoting and supporting the growth of the industry in the city-state. Don Baey, chairperson of the SGGA and business development director at indie developer Trueworld Studios, discussed the association's mission and the challenges faced by indie game developers in Singapore. Baey's journey in the games industry began at Ubisoft, one of the many AAA developers with a presence in Singapore. He later transitioned to the government sector, where he worked on a project to promote and support the local games industry. This experience sparked his interest in the indie scene, and he eventually became a founding member of the SGGA. The association, initially known as the Singapore Games Guild, was established to bring the community together and provide a voice for the industry. It has since grown, with monthly gatherings and initiatives to support local game developers. As of 2021, there were 160 games-related companies in Singapore, with 50% of them being developers and 10% being publishers. The SGGA focuses on providing opportunities for games professionals to network and share their experiences. However, the association also faces challenges, such as the high cost of living in Singapore and the difficulty of attracting funding for indie game developers. Baey emphasized the importance of educating government agencies about the games industry and its unique needs. The presence of AAA game developers in Singapore can be beneficial, but it is also important to have a strong education system and local institutions that support the industry. The SGGA works to build a community that supports indie game developers and provides a platform for them to showcase their work. The association also helps international companies and individuals who want to expand into Singapore, and it promotes Singaporean games at international events. Baey highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the global games industry and the need for the SGGA to work with other trade associations in Southeast Asia to build local ecosystems and communities.