SportsHero Accelerates iGV Family Game Pass Rollout Across Southeast Asia
SportsHero Limited has made significant strides in commercialising its iGV Family Game Pass, securing key partnerships with major Southeast Asian telecom operators and expanding its market footprint to the Philippines.
- Two-year marketing agreement signed with Indonesia’s XL Axiata
- Indosat Ooredo Hutchison advances to full commercial launch, bypassing proof of concept
- Partnership expanded to include the Philippines market
- Appointment of Crispin Tristram as permanent Chief Commercial Officer
- Secured $1 million unsecured borrowing facility to support commercial rollout
Strategic Partnerships Drive Market Expansion
SportsHero Limited has taken decisive steps in the quarter ended March 31, 2025, advancing the commercialisation of its iGV.com Family Game Pass product. The company inked a pivotal two-year agreement with XL Axiata, Indonesia’s third-largest telecommunications provider, to market the gaming subscription service. Targeting XL’s substantial base of approximately 8.3 million PC gamers, the partnership leverages XL’s Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) system, facilitating seamless subscription payments and enhancing customer conversion potential.
XL Axiata’s extensive network, serving nearly 59 million customers with broadband speeds ranging from 21.1 Mbps to 50 Mbps, positions SportsHero to tap into a rapidly growing digital entertainment market. The subscription price, set at IDR 65,000 (around A$6.30) monthly, offers affordable access to a curated library of over 200 popular PC games, including global hits such as Call of Duty and Elden Ring.
Accelerated Launch with Indosat Ooredo Hutchison
In a notable development, SportsHero and Indosat Ooredo Hutchison agreed to bypass the initially planned three-month proof of concept phase, moving directly to a full commercial launch slated for the June quarter. Indosat’s confidence in the Family Game Pass product is underscored by its commitment to integrate DCB across its 100.9 million subscribers, enabling frictionless billing through popular digital platforms MyIM3 and Bima+.
This partnership is expected to generate revenue sharing with SportsHero receiving 65% of subscription revenues, a favorable margin that reflects the company’s growing influence in Southeast Asia’s digital gaming ecosystem. Indosat’s digital applications boast over 50 million monthly active users, amplifying the potential reach of the iGV Family Game Pass.
Expanding Footprint into the Philippines
Further broadening its regional presence, SportsHero expanded its iGV.com partnership to include the Philippines, a market with over 119 million gamers and a substantial PC gaming segment of 43 million users. The Philippine gaming market, valued at US$1.15 billion in 2023, alongside a burgeoning esports sector, offers fertile ground for SportsHero’s subscription model.
This strategic expansion complements existing operations in Indonesia and Thailand, positioning SportsHero as a key player in Southeast Asia’s digital entertainment landscape.
Leadership and Financial Position
On the leadership front, Crispin Tristram was appointed as the permanent Chief Commercial Officer after a successful consulting tenure, signaling a strengthened commercial focus. Financially, the company secured a $1 million unsecured borrowing facility from a major shareholder, providing critical funding to sustain its commercial rollout through 2025.
Despite net cash used in operating activities amounting to $280,000 for the quarter, SportsHero ended March 2025 with $150,000 in cash and an undrawn debt facility capacity of $1.05 million, underpinning its operational runway. The company’s margin on gross subscription value is projected at a healthy 38%, reflecting efficient cost management in partnership arrangements.
Looking Ahead
With the iGV Family Game Pass now live with XL Axiata and the imminent commercial launch with Indosat, SportsHero is poised to capitalise on Southeast Asia’s expanding gaming market. The company’s ability to convert its substantial market potential into sustainable revenue streams will be a key focus for investors and analysts in the coming quarters.
Bottom Line?
SportsHero’s strategic partnerships and fresh funding set the stage for a critical growth phase in Southeast Asia’s gaming market.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will subscriber uptake translate into meaningful revenue growth?
- What are the company’s plans for further capital raising beyond the current borrowing facility?
- How will competition in Southeast Asia’s digital gaming subscription space impact SportsHero’s market share?