By Ong Boon Kiat

Singapore can become a leading game development nation, thanks to strong government initiatives, a rigorous education system and rich imagination of youths here, says Claude Comair, founder and president of DigiPen Institute of Technology.

It is these factors that have lured the leading US digital media school here, he said. The institute is investing $8 million to set up its first overseas campus here to offer computer game development degree courses.

Located at the one-north high-tech business park in Buona Vista, the school will commence classes in September with a first batch of 40 students. It is DigiPen's third campus, after two in Redmond, Washington.

Clear vision

'The idea that we are part of a bigger plan was what enticed me,' said Mr Comair, who has been a key figure in the video gaming industry for the past two decades, having served as chairman of Nintendo in the US before establishing DigiPen.

Referring to the government's vision to establish Singapore as a digital media hub, where a $1 billion war chest has been set aside to develop the industry by 2018, he described the government as a serious partner with a clear vision on how to create a software and game industry here.

'We are not here to spend the grant and then disappear,' he said.

Before choosing Singapore as DigiPen's second home, Mr Comair had looked at other Asian countries such as Hong Kong.

But Singapore's rigorous education system and its conducive climate for learning made the decision to come here easy.

'Singapore is a dream place for educators,' he said.

Story-telling

Another lure for DigiPen is the 'imagination' of Singapore youths.

'You can't create a game from technology alone; you need people who can tell a story,' he pointed out.

Asia is rich in tradition and culture, which are all keys to the art of story-telling. Add to that the high quality of life in Singapore and 'ideas and art can flourish', he added.

Mr Comair is confident that Singapore will become a game development hub and a magnet for international game companies.

He likened Singapore now to Washington state 12 years ago. At the time, the northwestern-most US state had only nine game companies; today, it is home to more than 150 game companies, including Microsoft and Nintendo.

He said a key reason for Washington's success was the ready stream of professionals graduating from DigiPen's two campuses in Redmond.

And DigiPen intends to play the same role in Singapore.

'My feeling is that a number of the first batch of (DigiPen) graduates in Singapore will be lured to work overseas by US game companies. However, in the long term, game companies will realise that it is much better to start companies in Singapore,' he said.

His optimism will be shared by game makers which have already taken the plunge to set up Singapore studios.

They include game major Electronic Arts (EA), which recently relocated its regional headquarters here from Hong Kong and plans to further bolster its game development operations here.

In February, French game development firm Ubisoft said it would open a game studio at Fusionopolis and hire 300 game developers.

Having a robust video game industry will reap rich rewards for Singapore, Mr Comair said.

'If you look at the various computer science fields, there are already killer applications everywhere, and it is very hard to actually compete. But with video gaming, investors know that the mother of all games will never be invented.

'Investors are guiding their money towards this field and it is growing like crazy now. It is an unbelievable opportunity, and I believe Singapore will be a frontrunner.'

This article was first published in The Business Times on 7 July 2008.