Esports in Singapore : keeping gamers in their game

• Main Author: Chua, Shaun Tok Jiat
• Other Authors: Nicholas Giles Aplin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::General
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76799
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In recent times, Singapore has experienced considerable success in eSport, and more female gamers are participating in this traditionally male dominated arena. This study mainly investigates the reasons that a female professional gamer may commit to eSport using the Sport Commitment Model (Scanlan, Carpenter, Schmidt, Simons, & Keeler, 1993) as a guide. The supplementary objectives were to identify the reasons they may discontinue eSport, and the nature of support they desire. A group interview was conducted with 4 female professional gamers competing in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), followed by an administration of the Sport Commitment Questionnaire-2 (SCQ-2). Interview responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analysed together with SCQ-2 responses. Results indicated that involvement opportunities and sport enjoyment were among the top motivators of continued involvement in eSport. Commitments to family and commitments to work emerged as the top reasons for discontinuation of eSport. Lastly, gaming as a career emerged as the most desired type of support. A holistic consideration of the findings led to several recommendations for potential sponsors of professional female gamers. These recommendations include offering valued opportunities for sponsorship agreements, and also to make accommodative arrangements during maternity.