Bigo brings gaming app to Thailand

Singapore-based Bigo Technology Co, an operator of live streaming and video broadcasts, has launched its live-streaming mobile game app in Thailand to capitalise on e-sports business.

The company’s Cube TV app for e-sports live streaming is expected to tap the growing gamer market.

Bigo also plans to expand Cube TV to other countries and other regions in the next few years.

Wei Li Xian, Bigo Live’s marketing director for Thailand, said gaming is continuing to grow as people can access the medium anywhere, anytime.

She said Thailand’s gaming industry generated 8.7 billion baht in 2016, comprising 5.6 billion from desktop computers, which grew 10% from the previous year.

Mobile games contributed 3.1 billion baht, a 30% increase.

The gaming market in Thailand last year increased significantly, with computer games bringing in 6.3 billion baht and mobiles games pulling in 4 billion, growth of 13% and 30%, respectively.

“Joining the gaming market in Thailand has strengthened Bigo in terms of revenue and awareness,” said Ms Wei.

China is the biggest gaming market, followed by the US, while Thailand is ranked 20th.

The company expects Cube TV users will double to 4 million after its launch in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and Russia.

Ms Wei said Cube TV is authorised to broadcast mobile e-sport tournaments.

“We have the right to broadcast PC e-sports for League of Legends and Dota 2 games,” she said.

For Thailand and Southeast Asia, the popularity of e-sports is constantly growing, said Ms Wei.

She said mobile games and e-sports are a major source of revenue.

The global value of the gaming market is estimated at $100 billion (3.21 trillion baht), a figure estimated to double by 2025.