Overview:
Palau’s gaming community is growing, but players say limited equipment, unreliable internet and few organized competitions are holding it back. Good Gamers Society hopes to change that by bringing gamers together, promoting esports opportunities and encouraging healthy gaming habits.
By: Summer Kennard
KOROR, Palau (October 12, 2026) Good Gamers Society, a nonprofit organization established to bring Palau’s gaming communities together, is working to promote responsible gaming, address cyberbullying and create more opportunities for young people interested in esports.
Formally incorporated in October 2025, the organization grew out of a group of friends who organized an esports tournament in 2024 at WCTC on Lebuu Street. The event featured Tekken 7 and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) competitions.
According to Good Gamers Society President Tabesul Ngirailemsang, the response to the tournament demonstrated the community’s interest in organized gaming events.
“For a whole year, young gamers kept asking us, ‘When’s the next one?’ That told us the demand was real,” Ngirailemsang said. The continued interest encouraged the group to establish an organization that could unite gamers, organize competitions and provide opportunities for the community to grow.
Good Gamers Society focuses on organizing tournaments and workshops, promoting healthy gaming habits and mental well-being, and encouraging respectful behavior online.
In August, the organization held a Youth Gamer’s Workshop at Palau High School with more than 20 young participants. The workshop addressed healthy gaming, mental well-being and online safety, with support from the Noncommunicable Disease Fund through the Ministry of Health and Human Services.
Ngirailemsang said the response from young people and the wider community has been encouraging, and the organization is preparing for a community gaming tournament. He described Palau’s gaming community as larger and more diverse than many people realize, with players participating in games such as Mobile Legends, PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, Apex Legends and sports titles including NBA 2K and MLB The Show. The community includes high school students, working adults, parents and people from different occupations and backgrounds.
Despite this interest, Ngirailemsang said Palau lacks the structure and resources needed to support the gaming community’s development.
“There are very few places where gamers can come together in person, and not many organized competitions to give them something to work toward,” he said.
For local gamer Imrur Remengesau, the cost and availability of equipment and unreliable internet connectivity are among the challenges of gaming in Palau.
Remengesau, who has been playing video games for nearly 11 years, currently plays NBA 2K26, EA Sports FC 26, UFC 6 and Call of Duty. He said gaming allows him to relax, relieve stress and connect with friends.
“After a long day, gaming gives me a chance to relax and focus on something that I enjoy and find rewarding,” Remengesau said.
He said gaming consoles and controllers can be expensive to purchase locally, while ordering equipment online can take a long time. A stable internet connection is also important for online play, particularly in competitive games.
Ngirailemsang similarly identified internet reliability and access to equipment as challenges for Palau’s gaming community. He said gaming has yet to receive the same level of recognition and support from schools, businesses and the wider community as traditional sports and the arts.
Remengesau said he would like to see more gaming events, workshops and tournaments covering different types of games. He also proposed establishing a dedicated gaming center where players could meet, practice and compete.
“I would also love to see Palau develop an esports team that could represent the country in regional and international competitions,” Remengesau said.
Ngirailemsang said stronger partnerships and more organized opportunities could help Palau develop its gaming community and potentially send players to compete in regional tournaments.
Beyond competition, Good Gamers Society wants to challenge the perception that gaming is simply a waste of time. Ngirailemsang said gaming can provide opportunities for people to unwind, connect with others and develop skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. He also pointed to potential career paths associated with esports and the broader gaming industry, including streaming, event management, design and technology.
However, he emphasized that gaming must remain balanced with other responsibilities.
“The key is that gaming should fit into your life, not take it over,” he said.
The organization encourages players to take breaks, stay physically active, drink water, protect their sleep and prioritize school, work and family responsibilities.
Ngirailemsang also acknowledged concerns among parents about excessive gaming, saying the organization shares those concerns, particularly because some of its members are parents themselves. Rather than discouraging gaming altogether, he encouraged parents to take an active role by learning about the games their children play, asking who they interact with online and establishing reasonable limits together.
He said parents should also watch for warning signs, including disrupted sleep, declining school performance and withdrawal from family activities.
Good Gamers Society also emphasizes the importance of using credible research when discussing gaming’s potential benefits and risks.
Ngirailemsang said the organization looks to peer-reviewed studies, universities and health organizations when sharing information. While some research points to potential benefits, he said the organization also recognizes the risks associated with unhealthy gaming habits, including gaming disorder, which the World Health Organization recognizes as a health condition.
“We think being upfront about the risks is what makes our message about healthy gaming believable,” he said.
Through its workshops, tournaments and community outreach, Good Gamers Society aims to create an environment where gamers can participate safely, develop their skills and connect with others while maintaining healthy habits.