Passion vs Paycheck: Is E-sports a Viable Career for Singaporean Youths?<\/b><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” custom_margin=”-194px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-80px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-145px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”112.8px” custom_margin=”5px||-48px||false|false” custom_padding=”31px||0px||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” min_height=”1396px” custom_margin=”-136px||-433px|||” custom_padding=”107px||44px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”-55px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-35px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”2px|0|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]
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BY
RYAN KOH<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Video Editor<\/b><\/p>\n
Hype Issue #88<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Feb 04<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n KOH JING YI RYAN<\/strong> digs deeper into the viability of an e-sports career for youths in Singapore.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] When one talks about career choices in Singapore, professions in banking, finance, or human resources are often seen as the conventional path. They are deemed stable, familiar, and are widely accepted as a \u2018safe-bet\u2019. Yet, as industries evolve, not all careers today fit neatly into this conventional mould.<\/span><\/p>\n You may have heard of Faker, one of the world\u2019s most famous professional players in <\/span>League of Legends, <\/span><\/i>a 5v5 Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game. While e-sports may be reduced to \u201cjust gaming\u201d by some, it has been <\/span>officially recognised<\/span><\/a> as a sports title in Singapore, growing into a serious industry with real careers behind the screens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This raises a pressing question for youths: can niche careers driven solely by passion, like e-sports, truly be sustainable in a society that values stability?<\/span><\/p>\n To better understand what a career in e-sports is like, we spoke to Matthew \u201cSimple\u201d Tan, a 22-year-old professional e-sports coach who has worked with teams competing in <\/span>Mobile Legends<\/span><\/i> Professional League Singapore (MPL SG) and even coached the Nepalese national team at the E-sports World Cup (EWC) 2025.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-11.48.58-AM.png” alt=”Pet Sitter” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 11.48.58\u202fAM” force_fullwidth=”on” src_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”220.2px” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” src__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Matthew \u201cSimple\u201d Tan coaching Team Nepal in EWC 2025. <\/span>(Photo credit: Matthew Tan)<\/span><\/i><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Montreal Medium” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Matthew began coaching teams casually in <\/span>Overwatch<\/span><\/i>, before transitioning into an assistant coach for professional team, RSG Singapore, during MPL SG Season 8 in 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to his unique job scope, which includes analysing gameplay and in-game drafting, he is used to long days that stretch well beyond the matches themselves. On tournament days, he wakes up before his players to ensure they are fed and only rests after everyone is prepared for the next day. While it is not officially part of his job, Matthew sees this level of care as necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf something can be done better, I want to make sure it is,\u201d he said. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Matthew rarely delegates. To him, coaching is as much about caring for his players as it is about tactics and drafts.<\/span><\/p>\n High Effort, Uncertain Pay<\/b><\/p>\n This level of commitment, however, is not always reflected financially. Matthew explained that in the game, <\/span>Mobile Legends: Bang Bang <\/span><\/i>(MLBB), the salaries of players remain unstable due to the lack of a league minimum wage. Compared to titles like <\/span>Valorant<\/span><\/i>, where minimum salaries offer players and coaches some financial security, MLBB professionals often operate with far less certainty.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-11.49.09-AM.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 11.49.09\u202fAM” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Matthew \u201cSimple\u201d Tan coaching his team in MPL SG Season 10 qualifiers. <\/span>(Photo credit: Matthew Tan)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cE-sports is still growing,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have the history that traditional sports like football have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In Singapore, the challenge has become even more apparent. While e-sports salaries here may seem generous compared to those in other regions, Matthew admits it was not enough to get by. According to <\/span>TodayOnline<\/span><\/a>, even the best local e-sports athletes can only expect an average basic pay of about S$3000 to S$5000. However, in <\/span>Indonesia<\/span><\/a>, MPL players receive about IDR $7 million (S$526).<\/span><\/p>\n For now, coaching remains something he balances alongside his studies. \u201cIf you\u2019re doing it for the money, it doesn\u2019t really make sense,\u201d he said, noting that many could in fact earn more in retail or food and beverage jobs. The real trade-off lies in flexibility and love for the game.<\/span><\/p>\n Life From the Player\u2019s Seat<\/b><\/p>\n While coaching comes with its own set of responsibilities, life as a professional player is defined by a different intensity. Ryan \u201cIronRyan\u201d Tan, 20, a teammate of Matthew, shared that the toughest part isn\u2019t just practice or competitions, but balancing e-sports with the rest of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTraining typically happens at night after school and on weekends,\u201d he explained. \u201cSometimes managing school work, tournaments, and personal life, like time with friends and family, can get really intense.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Deadlines, competitions, and late-night practices often collide, forcing difficult decisions. \u201cYour only escape, sometimes hanging out with friends or family, has to be put aside to meet commitments,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-04-at-11.49.21-AM.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 11.49.21\u202fAM” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Matthew (left) discussing with Ryan (right) about in-game plans during MPL SG Season 8. <\/span>(Photo credit: Koh Jing Yi Ryan)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Players focus on refining their own skills and mastering gameplay, often squeezing in extra ranked games outside of scheduled practice to stay sharp. Coaches like Matthew oversee the team, while players live through the grind day after day.<\/span><\/p>\n Passion as a Motivational Force<\/b><\/p>\n Despite the pressure, passion remains as the main driving force. \u201cPassion is showing up to training, playing ranked games even when you\u2019re tired, and constantly learning from your mistakes,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cIt\u2019s also about being humble, listening to advice, and putting in the work no matter what.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In his opinion, dedication can make the dream of going pro in e-sports a real possibility, even if the financial returns are not guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n Looking ahead, he is open to pursuing gaming full-time, though university and long-term stability remain priorities. \u201cI won\u2019t close the door to it,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWe\u2019ll see how the scene in Singapore develops in the next few years.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Perseverance and Perspective<\/b><\/p>\n For both coach and player, passion is the heart of their e-sports journey. Together, their stories show that pursuing e-sports in Singapore isn\u2019t just about playing games. It\u2019s about time management, resilience, and carefully balancing ambition with practical realities.<\/span><\/p>\n For youths dreaming of making it their career, the path is challenging. Salaries are often modest, and many players and coaches have to juggle e-sports with studies or part-time work. Yet, as Matthew and Ryan emphasise, the rewards of personal growth, unforgettable experiences, and the joy of doing what they love can be just as real as the trophies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cChasing your dreams isn\u2019t supposed to be easy,\u201d Ryan said, \u201cbut you should still feel some joy in the work you put in, especially for the career you want to pursue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" KOH JING YI RYAN digs deeper into the viability of an e-sports career for youths in Singapore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[211,1159,768,47,120],"class_list":["post-15802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-unanswered","tag-hype","tag-hype-singapore","tag-ngee-ann-polytechnic","tag-singapore","tag-youths"],"yoast_head":"\nPublished on:<\/h5>\n
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2026<\/h5>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”Montreal Medium||||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]
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Beyond the Glitz and Glamour<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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