Manila, June 2021 — YCP Solidiance has published a white paper, “The Next Level: The Rise of Esports in the Philippines,” that highlights the country’s untapped potential in the realm of professional video gaming and the concrete steps that need to be taken to ensure the industry's probable mainstream success.
Globally, esports has become a runaway phenomenon, drawing record viewership numbers and investments from some of the world’s biggest companies and conglomerates. Case in point: 100 million people watched the final of the 2019 League of Legends World Championship in Paris, a number that, if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, could have surpassed Super Bowl viewership in 2020.
Esports may be receiving mainstream success abroad, but it is still widely regarded as a “niche” industry in its nascent stages in the Philippines. However, the rising numbers of active gamers locally—currently at 43 million but growing 12.9% year-on-year since 2017—signals a shift towards the mainstream acceptance of esports. Accelerating the growth of the industry entails the all-in investment of industry players, and the adoption of three key success factors:
- A Competitive Environment: The local gaming community will flock to an attractive, well-structured tournament that offers substantial incentives.
- Production Value: Filipinos look for compelling stories and vibrant, relatable personalities. Investing in high-quality production will give viewers more reasons to tune in.
- Accessibility: Both the national government and industry stakeholders must invest in shifting the narrative of esports away from “distraction” to “legitimate profession.”
Download the full white paper here to further explore the landscape of Philippine esports, and to discover the many ways your business can invest in its long-term growth.
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