1. The Media Development Authority of Singapore had plans of granting S$14.6 million three-year fund to Game+ Program in 2010. Game+ Program is a government initiative aiming towards breaking through the international gaming scene via providing financial support to game concept development companies.
2. In 2012, a website the collates information in regards to gaming and games developed in Singapore was launched by the country’s Media Development Authority or MDA. It is called the Singapore Game Box Portal. The project aimed to allow gamers to try out home grown games via the website maintained by Gaming Solutions Centre. The portal was another initiative by MDA to support the local gaming development industry.
3. A year after the Game Box Portal was launched, an independent game developer, PD Design Studio, launched ‘Dusty Revenge’ a 2D hack-and-slash online game developed in Singapore. A game available on PC and Mac, Dusty Revenge’s theme is focused on the protagonist’s goal to take vengeance on his enemies.
4. Although made to feature independent game developers, Game Box Portal also invites big-name developers to feature their games on the portal. Thomas Lim, MDA’s director for interactive media mentioned that companies like LucasArts and Ubisoft are welcome provided that they are keen to do so.
5. In Singapore, gaming is a serious business. In 2011 alone, over a hundred thousand game enthusiasts participated in the annual Game Xpo – an expo that features more than 30 exhibitors that include game developers, software creators and publishers.
6. The company Ubisoft opened its game development branch in Singapore in 2008. The company’s locally developed games include ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled’ and contributed in the making of two ‘Assassin’s Creed’ versions.
7. Another renowned brand calling Singapore a home is LucasArts Singapore. The company opened their branch in Singapore in 2007 since then completed several known video games such as ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2’ and ‘Monkey Island 2’.
8. There’s an estimate of over 50 game-related companies in Singapore and the bulk of it are from the game development sector. It was cited that there will be over 1.41million gamers in Singapore between the years of 2011 and 2012. Majority of the revenue to be brought by this industry comes from online games. Also in 2012, it was estimated that Singapore’s online gaming revenue will be at around $31 million and it will go double in the next two to three years.
