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.”
