Mr Christopher Ng, General Manager of Electronic Arts or EA Singapore,
Sponsors and partners of EA Play 08,
Gamers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I am happy to be here today to officiate the opening of EA Play 08. The participation of this flagship consumer gaming event has grown from 5,000 in 2006, to an anticipated turnout of 200,000 for this year’s regional event. Seeing so many people gathered here today – from professional to casual gamers and even curious non-gamers – is testament that EA Play 08 is another step forward in the continued development of the local games industry.
2 Many young children are attracted to games because they are entertaining. But many games also have educational or even therapeutic value. Or at least this is what many gamers, like my son who is 13 this year, tells me! And I believe him. I continue to be amazed at how quickly young children, like my son, take to technology and solve in minutes, game puzzles that would leave me stumped for hours.
Growing IDM and gaming in Singapore
3 The games industry is not all play. For the Singapore economy, it is a serious business and one that brims with much potential. Analysts have estimated that by 2011, the global games market will be worth US$48.9 billion.
4 Tapping the enormous growth potential of the games industry is part of Singapore’s larger plan to develop the Interactive Digital Media or IDM sector. In 2007, Singapore committed S$500 million over five years, to stimulate further research and development (R&D) in this sector. Early results from this investment have been encouraging.
5 EA’s move to site their Asian headquarters in Singapore in 2008 has also added buzz and vibrancy to the local games scene. EA brings with them an invaluable pool of skilled developers and producers. With our local talents working alongside EA’s experts, and our high mobile and broadband penetration, we are confident Singapore will be a good base for EA to localise games for Asia’s unique cultures, and to develop games for online and mobile platforms.
Promoting the Games Industry
6 To grow a vibrant games industry, the government has put in place many supporting initiatives. One such example is the INVIGORATE programme, which encourages the development of locally-produced games inthe mobile and casual games space, and provides training and mentorship opportunities for local game developers.
7 Today’s event is also part of the line-up for the Media Development Authority’s (MDA) public education initiative, MEDIAction! MEDIAction! is a year-round initiative to inspire Singaporeans to use media for work, learning and play through a string of fun and engaging events. I am sure both gamers and non-gamers will enjoy the exciting line-up of EA games as well as trying their hand at creating originalcharacters from EA’s highly anticipated game, SPORE (pronounced as “spore”).
8 As with any activity, gaming should be engaged in moderation. I would like to commend EA on taking the effort to give tips on healthy and responsible gaming. You can see these on the educational panels around the showcases.
Conclusion
9 In closing, I would like to congratulate EA on a successful EA Play 08. I hope this event will fire up a passion in Singaporeans – not just as gamers, but as game creators as well.
10 On this note, let me wish everyone here “Happy Gaming”!
Thank you.
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