Gaming and esports sector is key for future employment and innovation globally, says Hero Esports CEO

SHANGHAI, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hero Esports, the largest esports company in Asia, was proud to be in attendance at this year's LEAP Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports, joined fellow panellists including HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, to discuss the transformative power of gaming and esports globally.

Danny also explored how esports aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030, which is further supported by the recently announced 2027 Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh.

Hero Esports has previously organized large-scale tournaments in the Middle East including, but not limited to, the first Dubai Esports Festival in 2022 and the 2022 PUBG Global Championship. The company was also a core partner to the inaugural Esports World Cup last year. Elsewhere, Hero Esports has kicked off the inaugural Asian Champions League, Asia's premier multi-title esports tournament, this month which will have a total prize pool of US$2 million and provide teams from across Asia with the chance to qualify for this year's Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

On the importance of gaming and esports as key social and economic drivers globally, Danny Tang commented:

"The gaming industry has become one of the pillar markets in the internet industry and, in doing so, has become quite lucrative. The business model is also one of the best when it comes to monetization.

"Free-to-play models with in-game purchases drive long-term engagement, pushing developers to create compelling stories and experiences that retain their communities. This, in turn, fosters an environment where young talent is eager to enter the industry, making gaming and esports a key sector for future employment and innovation."

On the potential for esports to become a mainstream cultural force in Saudi Arabia, Danny said:

"With what we've seen in Asia, and what we're seeing here with Saudi Arabia—its young population, its high percentage of gamers, and notably, the high percentage of female gamers—we recognise a strong foundation for gaming and esports to become part of mainstream pop culture.

"Esports is no longer a niche—it is a global phenomenon with a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, including game developers, tournament organisers, content creators, and professional teams. We've witnessed firsthand how investment and support from various city-level governments can accelerate this transformation, opening up new career paths and opportunities.

"Saudi Arabia's commitment to gaming and esports through Vision 2030 is an example of how the industry can unite the world, both physically and through shared virtual experiences.

"At Hero Esports, we look forward to supporting Saudi Arabia's esports journey and creating even more meaningful, connected experiences for gamers and fans worldwide."

About Danny Tang

Danny Tang is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports. She formerly held the role of Hero Esports' CFO and Head of Global Strategy Office. Danny plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic vision of the company, guiding its growth across multiple markets. Before joining Hero Esports, Danny worked at the US and China offices of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. from 2007 to 2010 and served as Vice President at China Development Bank Capital between 2010 and 2014. She holds a BA in Economics & Mathematics from Bryn Mawr College and a Master of Science in Management from Stanford University.

In 2022, Danny was recognised as one of the Top 100 Asian-Pacific Women-Powered Leaders by J.P. Morgan and Ernst & Young. In 2024, she was inducted into the Esports Hall of Fame by the renowned esports media outlet Esports Insider.

About Hero Esports

Founded in 2016, Hero Esports is the biggest esports company in Asia, producing more than 7,000 matches every year that captivate an online fan base of over 800 million. With a global presence encompassing 12 office locations and eight top-tier esports arenas, Hero Esports offers a comprehensive suite of esports services, including tournament organization, marketing solutions, community development, and more. As a private company, Hero Esports counts Savvy Games Group and Tencent, among others, as investors, with Kuaishou and Huya as strategic partners.

Headquartered in Shanghai and employing more than 1,100 employees, Hero Esports is a fully integrated operator of esports tournaments and creator of esports content with global reach. The company has helped produce many prestigious tournaments including the Olympic Esports Week, the Esports World Cup as well as the esports series featured at both the Jakarta Asian Games 2018 and the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. Hero Esports also worked with the world's top-tier game publishers such as Tencent and Krafton in organizing popular esports leagues such as the Honor of Kings' KPL series and PUBG's PGC series, among many others. In 2024, Hero Esports launched Esports Asian Champions League (ACL), Asia's premier international, multi-title esports tournament. Hero Esports is a member of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). www.heroesports.com 

SOURCE Hero Esports