The Asian eSport market
In Asia, video games are a serious thing. As proof, while the international eSport industry is constantly searching for legitimacy, SEA Games (the Southeast Asian Games) will incorporate eSport as an official, medal-winning discipline for the very first time in their history. It is the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games which took this decision, and this in full conscience. It is necessary to say that the Asian eSport market is very dynamic and federative.
eSport in Asia: dynamic market, Olympic discipline and much more
In anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the Olympic Committee has decided that the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 will include the first medal-winning eSport events in the history of the discipline. If the Asian eSport market is to be taken very seriously, it is because the organizers of the Olympics aim to make eSport a discipline recognized by all. The first tests are already taking place in a Pro Evolution Soccer tournament at Japan's National Sports Festival.
Moreover, the Asian eSports market is also made up of millions of amateur gamers who consider that console and computer games are not just a leisure activity, but a sport in the same way as soccer, tennis or even basketball. These casual gamers make up the bulk of the eSports fan base. According to Goldman Sachs, the majority of eSport players live on the Asian continent and 79% of them would be under the age of 35.
Vector of employment and growth in Asian countries
The eSport contributes to the development of local economies in Asia. For example, China has compiled a list of new eSports-related professions, which are now officially recognized. AI engineer, Big Data engineer, drone pilot, professional video game player, all are approved by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Since e-athletes, managers and eSport event organizers are legitimate in China, a career in eSport can be considered there! It must be said that eSport is popular in China. The country's eSports market surpassed $13 billion in 2018 and is expected to continue growing by $5 billion over the next two years.
But if there is a country which is the incarnation of eSport in Asia, it is South Korea. Let's remember that in 1996, in the middle of an unprecedented economic crisis, South Korea chose to develop through new technologies. Samsung, LG or SK Telecom seized an incredible opportunity: to invest in the eSports market. Thus was born the first edition of the WCG (World Cyber Games), an international competition under the initiative of Samsung and supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of South Korea. In addition, the South Korean eSport market was supported early on by the Korean e-Sport Association (KeSPA), a structure that promotes eSport and allows professional video game players to obtain a real status.
The eSports in Korea are also pioneer television channels 100% dedicated to eSports. The most famous ones, OnGame Net, Adreeca TV and SpoTV, have nearly 8 million viewers in prime time. The broadcasting of eSports matches is one of the main sources of revenue in the South Korean eSports market, as it is in the entire Asian continent.
