With a predicted compound annual growth rate of 19.8% between 2017 and 2022, gaming has developed far beyond being a hobbyist activity. Indeed, it is now a viable career choice for many students applying to sought after courses at institutions such as Wits and Vega. 

Yet, this sector is not fully understood and the investment opportunities are abundant. Exploring the growth and investment potential of this sector, Reed Exhibitions and ReedPOP will once again be hosting The Business of Gaming Forum, and this year it's set to level up.

Taking place on the 23rd of September, alongside Comic Con Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre, the forum aims to connect businesses and brands within the burgeoning entertainment sector to bring the South African gaming sector together.

The Business of Gaming Forum 2019 is set to showcase a wide range of opportunities and business pillars within the gaming industry and will strongly focus on esports, branded gaming and game development.

“The 2019 Forum is for those serious about the various enterprises relevant to the gaming sector. Topics such as, The overview of the South African gaming landscape and Why South African game development is a great market for investment, will offer thorough insight into this ever growing industry,” says Carol Weaving, Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions, who own and organise the Forum.

In 2017, for the first time, social/casual gaming revenue (R1.6 billion) overtook traditional revenue (R1.4 billion) and will continue to grow at a faster rate in South Africa, as indicated by the PWC Entertainment and Media: 2018 - 2022 report. Touching on subjects such as these amongst the international delegates on the panels, Sam Wright, aka “Tech Girl”, who has worked internationally commentating at various esports events and built various successful content creation channels in South Africa with a core focus on gaming and tech, will also take part in panel discussions.

Delegates will be engaged through panel discussions such as How to level-up - The secret to branded gaming and What the African gaming ecosystem needs to grow, which will host panellists from the local and international market.

International keynote speakers include representatives from the Forum’s international media partner; Esports Insider. Sam Cooke, Managing Director and Co-Founder Ollie Ring, Head of Business Development and Media at Esports Insider, will be discussing Future proofing your Esports and gaming brand and why the time to act is now.

From India, Akshat Rathee, an experienced serial-entrepreneur, who recently left NODWIN gaming to join Nazara Gaming, has a history of working in the start-up space, will be sharing his expertise in gaming, telecommunications and venture capital as part of a talk entitled The business of Esports and how the ecosystem makes money.

Other programme highlights include Ben Myers, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Nyamakop Games, “one of the most promising studios in African game development” as described by Polygon, presenting Squeezing into the Industry: The Lateral Development of Semblance, as well as topics such as The business of game development among others.

The Forum is directed at business investors, brand executives, brand agencies and managers as well as content creators, game developer and esports businesses who are encouraged to register for the full-day forum to be a part of the engaging discussions, networking opportunities as well as a tour of Comic Con Africa.

Seats are limited and booking in advance for The Business of Gaming Forum is advised.

For more information, as well as for delegate packages and prices for the conference on the 23rd of September 2019, please visit www.businessofgaming.co.za.