Esports and online gaming has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. From what was seen as a niche hobby played within the confines of LAN cafes, dorm rooms and bedrooms, it is now a global powerhouse with thousands of players – and spectators – participating in large-scale organized events. This expansion has been fuelled in part by advancements in technologies like 5G, which has made esports and gaming more accessible to a wider audience.

Today, gamers can make a living by turning professional and taking part in competitions, or by streaming gameplay sessions online. Many youths worldwide are also showing a keen interest in gaming, and have fueled the popularity of esports by forming a growing viewer base, including major international tournaments.

As esports gains momentum globally, the recent Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore has further ignited interest in gaming in Southeast Asia.

This ground-breaking event spotlighted the exceptional dedication, skill, and competitive spirit of esports athletes. Across the region, competitive gaming communities then have the unique opportunity to shape discussions around the complexities of esports, fostering a broader appreciation among the general public and nurturing the growth of an inclusive and vibrant esports community.

Building communities around esports

In the young and dynamic Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region, the gaming community is particularly thriving. Findings from Samsung’s SEAO Gaming Insight Study note that 7 in 10 online consumers in the region are gamers, and that more than half of gamers surveyed (56%) play games more than a few times a week.

Among gamers, they can be further categorized into Gaming Enthusiasts and Hardcore Gamers, who are deeply engaged in gaming-related activities such as watching gaming-related videos, discussing gaming within their communities, and staying updated on the latest gaming news. This reflects a vibrant community of gamers among the region’s consumers.

These findings closely align with the region’s large population of millennials and Gen Zs, who often demonstrate a passion for gaming. Samsung’s innovations in advancing the user experience whether on mobile or displays, are perfectly positioned to enable the gaming passions of youth in the region, be it for casual gamers who want to stay connected with their interests, or even budding esports players with ambitions to go professional.

“Youths in our region are passionate about gaming. We are excited to support our younger audiences in pushing the boundaries of gaming, and to provide cutting-edge Galaxy devices that keep up with all the action. Our partnerships with game developers, media partners, and other industry leaders, are likewise crucial to powering up gaming experiences.” – Carl Nordenberg, Regional Head of Mobile Experience Business, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania

“For gamers, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Our wide range of gaming monitors, such as the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 and the Odyssey Ark, are catered for every need. Whether you are an avid hardcore player or a pro esports athlete, Samsung is committed to continue innovating for all gamers.” – Leslie Goh, Head of Regional Display Solutions, Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania.

According to ONE Esports’ proprietary research run in Sep-Oct 2022, Samsung is the top smartphone brand owned by gamers in the Philippines. Furthermore, 1 in 2 gamers are considering Samsung for their next smartphone purchase.

Samsung is committed to transforming the experience for every gamer, with a dedicated line-up of smartphones and monitors that offer premium, gaming-optimized features to ensure smooth visuals and precise gameplay. With gaming enthusiasts in mind, Samsung has also partnered with ONE Esports to provide Galaxy users in Southeast Asia with early access to gaming news and content on the ONE Esports mobile app.

To unite and champion the growth of gaming communities, Samsung’s Galaxy Gaming Academy is rolling out across SEAO and it has already been launched in Indonesia. Gamers of all backgrounds are invited to join as members and gain exclusive access to community-bonding activities, educational and training content, and even in-game rewards from local gaming partners.

As a long-time Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Samsung’s innovative technologies have transformed the way the sporting community, athletes, and fans around the world communicate and share the excitement with each other. Samsung is a premium partner of the inaugural Olympics Esports Week, which took place in Singapore from 22 to 25 June 2023.

Gaming enthusiasts can catch the key event highlights and follow the action on Olympics.com and Olympic social handles using versatile and powerful devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Galaxy A series; or choose from Samsung’s performance monitors such as the Odyssey Ark and Odyssey OLED for a truly immersive experience.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd recently released findings from its Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) Gaming Insight Study, which found that 7 in 10 online consumers in the region are gamers. Conducted in partnership with ONE Esports, over 6,800 consumers aged 18 to 49 across seven markets (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) were surveyed in the last quarter of 2022¹, showing a widespread love for gaming whether at home or on-the-go.

Across the region, playing to de-stress and relax was cited as the top reason for gaming (74%), with an average of 7 hours a week spent on gaming. Most gamers (92%) preferred to engage in gameplay from the comfort of their home, and over half of gamers (58%) were found to spend an average of USD $30 monthly on gaming-related purchases such as exclusive online content, esports tournament tickets, streamer subscription, skins, and merchandise collectibles.

The study identified four distinct gamer personalities among gaming fans in this region – Hardcore Gamers, Gaming Enthusiasts, Casual Gamers & Spectators, as well as Casual Gamers, based on their total time spent playing games and watching gaming or esports content. In the Philippines, over 1,167 respondents joined the study where more than half of gamers surveyed (67%) indulge in this pastime at least a few times a week, consisting of Hardcore Gamers and Gaming Enthusiasts (See chart below).

Gaming Enthusiasts and Hardcore Gamers are highly vested in their hobby, where their top gaming-related activities include watching gaming videos, discussing gaming with others, reading gaming updates and news, spending money on gaming-related items and lastly, following gaming personalities on social media (see chart below).

Carl Nordenberg, Regional Head of Mobile Experience Business, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania, said, “Gaming today is much more than a hobby – it is a pastime that brings people together. The Southeast Asia and Oceania region holds a huge community of gamers, and this study sheds new light on their distinct gaming needs and habits, both as players and as e-sports fans. With this understanding, we can continue empowering our Samsung users to enjoy their gaming passion to the fullest. Whether on our powerful Galaxy devices, QLED TVs or gaming monitors, Samsung provides the best gaming experience, for casual and hardcore gamers alike.”

Jane Guo, Vice President, Analytics & Insights, ONE Esports, said, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Samsung on this study, powered by our in-house first-party consumer insights. The study uncovers a huge market of gaming enthusiasts and hardcore esports fans in the SEAO region, who look for high performance and a superior gaming and viewing experience when choosing devices and accessories such as smartphones, laptops, headphones and monitors. Samsung’s range of innovative gaming devices allows them to connect with these consumers compellingly.”

Designed for your every gaming need

The new Galaxy Z Fold4’s 7.6-inch Main Screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate provides immersive gaming experience anywhere you are.

The new Galaxy Z Fold4’s 7.6-inch Main Screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate provides immersive gaming experience anywhere you are.

Mobile gamers who wish to game on-the-go without sacrificing gameplay and graphics quality can try versatile and powerful devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Galaxy A series.

PC and console gamers can choose from Samsung’s best performance monitors, the Odyssey Ark and Odyssey OLED, while those who want a truly immersive gaming experience on the big screen can look to the Samsung Neo QLED QN90 series.

On the other hand, those who enjoy watching gaming content can consider devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, Smart Monitor M8 and The Sero.

¹ The Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Gaming Insights Survey 2022 was conducted from September to November 2022 by ONE Esports. It surveyed 6,840 respondents on Facebook and Instagram, aged 18 to 49, from the following 7 markets: Australia (1,000 respondents), Indonesia (1,033 respondents), Malaysia (1,024 respondents), Philippines (1,167 respondents), Singapore (604 respondents), Thailand (872 respondents) and Vietnam (1,140 respondents).