Introduction
Malaysia’s thriving gaming industry is a testament to the country’s rapidly growing population of gamers and the influx of new gaming companies in recent years. The country boasts some of the top game developers, publishers, and distributors in Southeast Asia, making it one of the most competitive markets for gaming companies striving to create innovative and immersive experiences for gamers. As such, Malaysia’s gaming industry continues to grow in both scale and complexity with each passing year. This article will explore some of the most successful game company in Malaysia, highlighting their successes and how they’ve helped shape the local landscape.
History of the Gaming Industry in Malaysia
The gaming industry in Malaysia has come a long way over the past two decades, from simple PC games to mobile and console games. In the early days of gaming in Malaysia, most popular video games were those found on PCs – such as Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Pacman. Although these games were relatively primitive compared to today’s standards, they still provided Malaysians with hours of entertainment. In addition to PC-based titles, game consoles also started gaining popularity during this period with popular machines such as Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
The late 1990s saw an explosion in the number of computer shops across Malaysia offering customers a variety of services from custom-built computers to arcade cabinets and even LAN centers for multiplayer gaming. The increasing availability of high-speed internet connections further fueled the growth of the Malaysian gaming industry as more people had access to online multiplayer titles such as Counter Strike or Warcraft II: Tides Of Darkness. As time went on, more people began playing at home or in LAN centers which led to an increase in demand for better hardware and peripherals such as graphic cards and headsets specifically designed for gamers.
From 2000 onwards, there was an increasing interest in gaming in Malaysia which led to a number of local game development studios being established. Some of the most successful studios include Kurechii, Streamline Studios, and Metronomik. These companies have created popular games such as Tiny Guardians, Street Fighter V, and No Straight Roads respectively. The growing popularity of mobile games in Malaysia has also led to the establishment of many mobile game development studios such as Appxplore, Gameka, and Gameka Ventures.
Government Policies on Gaming Companies in Malaysia
With the increasing popularity of gaming, the Malaysian government has taken steps to regulate and promote the industry. In 2018, Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance issued new regulations for online gambling companies operating in Malaysia. The regulations include measures such as creating a licensing framework for operators, setting up an Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) compliance unit, and establishing an enforcement system for those who violate gambling laws. These measures are aimed at preventing money laundering and protecting vulnerable players from exploitative practices.
The Malaysian government also launched an initiative called “MyGame” in 2019, which seeks to increase public awareness of healthy gaming habits among youths aged 13-17 years old by providing education materials on responsible gaming practices as well as access to free online counseling services with trained counselors specializing in this field. The MyGame program also offers incentives such as discounts on game purchases and rewards points for parents who actively monitor their children’s online activities.
To further restrict access to underage gamers, all games released in Malaysia are required to be rated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The ratings range from “U” for Universal to “18+” for adults only, and are intended to help parents make informed decisions about the games their children play.
