A New Side Quest: Unlocking Bangladesh’s Potential in The Gaming Industry

The gaming industry is a thriving economic treasure trove that creates youth force jobs.

This industry gathers more revenue annually than the film and music industries combined. With Bangladesh emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the gaming industry presents a unique opportunity to diversify the country's digital economy and contribute significantly to its GDP.  Tencent, the name behind many household games like PUBG MOBILE and Call of Duty: Mobile seeks to assess the potential growth of the gaming industry within Bangladesh's economic environment. After a successful seminar regarding this potentially thriving industry, the company's Head of Trust and Safety, Damian Ngiam shares his thoughts on the nuances and the possibilities of the uncut gem that is the potential gaming industry of Bangladesh.

Damian believes Bangladesh has immense potential to become a significant player in the global gaming industry. With a growing digital infrastructure and a young, tech-savvy population, the country possesses the key ingredients for success. He emphasises that Bangladesh's strength lies in its people and their creativity. With the proper support from both the public and private sectors, the youth can be equipped with the necessary skills to harness the opportunities in the gaming industry fully.

As a global technology leader, Tencent sees itself as an enabler in this ecosystem. The company aims to support the digital and gaming industry in Bangladesh by providing cutting-edge enterprise solutions such as cloud computing and high-quality digital consumer services, including video games, communication tools, and digital content services. By fostering strategic partnerships, Tencent hopes to play a significant role in Bangladesh's digital transformation journey, ensuring positive impacts on the daily lives of its people. Additionally, the company is keen on developing human capital by supporting programs that provide essential experience in game development, publishing, operations, and esports.

When discussing policy frameworks that could unlock Bangladesh's full gaming potential, Ngiam stresses the importance of a well-defined and supportive regulatory environment. He underscores the need for strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen the gaming industry's foundation. On February 26, Tencent hosted a seminar in Dhaka to explore ways Bangladesh could maximise its gaming industry's potential. Recognising the sector as a driver of economic growth is just the first step. He hopes for a robust policy framework that encourages investment in talent development, with significant involvement from educational institutions and training providers. He also calls for greater engagement among industry players, including local gaming companies, telecom operators, payment service providers, and global leaders like Tencent. Bangladesh can establish itself as a regional hub for gaming and esports by fostering a collaborative platform to exchange best practices and international standards.

Despite the gaming industry's profitability, it remains an unconventional career choice for many young Bangladeshis. Ngiam believes that raising awareness is crucial in shifting perceptions. The recent seminar in Dhaka marked an important milestone in this effort, bringing together government officials, industry experts, and academics to discuss the gaming industry's potential. He highlights that gaming is more than just entertainment; it drives employment and skill development. The industry offers numerous high-quality jobs, including game programming, development, data science, 2D/3D artistry, animation, UI/UX design, DevOps, audio engineering, community management, and marketing. He encourages young Bangladeshis with a passion for gaming to explore career opportunities in the sector. To build a strong talent pipeline, he urges educational institutions to align their curriculum with industry needs through regular engagement with gaming professionals and companies.

Esports, a rapidly growing sector, presents another avenue for economic growth and youth empowerment. Ngiam notes that the global esports industry is valued between USD 2 billion and USD 4 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region playing a significant role in its expansion. Beyond gaming, esports has far-reaching economic benefits, particularly in tourism. Popular tournaments attract millions of online viewers and draw thousands of fans to the host country, generating increased foot traffic for local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations. The esports ecosystem also creates job opportunities across various fields, from event management and content creation to broadcasting and merchandising. Ngiam envisions esports as a powerful tool to inspire young athletes and professionals, offering them a platform to compete in regional and global tournaments while driving employment in the broader digital industry.

Through strategic investments, policy support, and public-private collaboration, Bangladesh has the potential to carve out a strong presence in the global gaming and esports landscape. Tencent remains committed to working closely with stakeholders to unlock these opportunities and pave the way for a thriving digital future.