Analyzing Workforce Demands in the Game & Esports Industries for Higher Education Curriculum Development in Thailand

Authors

  • Khajonsak Khanchai Lecturer, Program in Esports Business, Faculty of Management Science, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2863-9553
  • Pattaraporn Puisuwan Assistant Professor, Dr., Program in Esports Business, Faculty of Management Science, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
  • Chanaphorn Panyakanphon Lecturer, Program in Educational Technology and Communication, Faculty of Education, Bangkokthonburi University, Bangkok 10170, Thailand
  • Yonlapat Sirirat Dr., Kanchanaburi Teacher Saving & Credit Cooperative Ltd., Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
  • Thakorn Pruettipuranee Dr., Office of the Foundation for the Good Teacher of the Land, Bangkok 10150, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65205/jcct.2025.2863

Keywords:

Games & Esports Industry, Higher Education Curriculum Development, Analyzing Workforce Demands

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) analyze workforce demands and core competencies in Thailand’s game and esports industry; 2) assess the alignment of Thai Higher Education curricula with industry needs; and 3) propose actionable curriculum recommendations. We combined a systematic review with curriculum analysis of current program documents, policy texts, and competency standards; extracted and triangulated data using structured forms and a codebook; and binary-coded 12 target skills to compute curriculum and skill coverage indices (SCI_course, SCI_skill) and gap indices (Gap_course, Gap_skill), interpreted as high, moderate, or low. Findings indicated that: 1) industry prioritizes analytical thinking, followed by data analysis; teamwork, communication, and creativity are in moderate demand, with salient gaps in game design, development, project management, streaming/broadcasting, game marketing, and leadership; 2) Thai higher-education curricula show broad coverage but lack practice-oriented depth in game production and design; and 3) recommended actions include studio-based sequencing with critique, embedding target competencies in core courses, expanded fieldwork, mandatory internships, faculty–industry co-advising, and annual industry-partnered review to close skills gaps and strengthen graduate readiness.

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Published

23-11-2025

How to Cite

Khanchai, K., Puisuwan, P., Panyakanphon, C., Sirirat, Y., & Pruettipuranee, T. (2025). Analyzing Workforce Demands in the Game & Esports Industries for Higher Education Curriculum Development in Thailand. Journal of Computer and Creative Technology, 3(3), 405–420. https://doi.org/10.65205/jcct.2025.2863