Is GAME a good ETF?
GAME is the BetaShares Video Games and Esports ETF from BetaShares. It tracks the Nasdaq CTA Global Video Games & Esports Index. We classify it under Intl, Thematic, and Tech. With about $28 million in assets it is a relatively small fund (worth checking spreads and liquidity before buying).
On a total-return basis, GAME has delivered 14.35% a year over 3 years (ranked 68th of 226 ETFs we track) and -21.19% a year over 1 year (ranked 300th of 308 ETFs we track). It has trailed most comparable ETFs over the periods we measure, so look closely at whether its strategy fits what you're after.
The management fee of 0.57% is on the higher side. For comparison, similar ETFs average around 0.48%. If cost is your priority, ESPO (0.55%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a moderate 2.56% yield.
Over the past 3 years its volatility has been elevated (annualised standard deviation around 19.12%), meaning noticeably larger swings than the broad market. Its 3-year Sharpe ratio of 0.58 is reasonable — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Things to watch
- Has lagged most peers over 1 year (300th of 308).
- Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.48%.
- Cheaper alternatives exist: ESPO.
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
What GAME's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
Concentrated in technology and high-growth innovation. The highest long-run growth potential on offer, paired with the deepest drawdowns.
- Market regime
- Very sensitive to interest rates and sentiment: powers ahead when money is cheap and optimism is high, and falls hardest when rates rise or risk appetite sours. Low dividends, high volatility.
- In a portfolio
- A long-horizon, high-conviction holding for investors with a strong stomach. Size the position so a 40-50% drawdown wouldn't derail your plan.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.