It’s hard to get proper recognition for developing an industry and ecosystem that many cannot just cannot grasp or comprehend; this is doubly true for the creative content and technology industry as it strives towards making Malaysia a creative powerhouse. Equally as challenging is getting the government’s executive arm to understand the potential this sector offer.
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) succeeded on both counts. First, since it embarked on this arduous journey of growth, various institutions have emerged. This includes opening Malaysia’s firs games incubator, LEVEL UP Inc. Second, and just as important, the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, has dropped by this platform. While this is an eventuality, the visit is a definite wind-fall for efforts to reinforce Malaysia as a creative powerhouse.
MDEC CEO, Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, and Hasnul Hadi Samsudin, Vice President of the Creative Content and Technologies division, played host to Dr Salleh’s visit. Topics discussed include the development of Malaysia’s creative content industry and how it has already generated positive revenue for Malaysia.
“Malaysia’s ICT industry has developed into one of our most important economic sectors for Malaysia. Indeed, we are confident that the trends we observe in this industry today will continue to expand. I’m happy and proud to see how more of young Malaysians are already making their marks through games. As we work towards growing the digital economy in Malaysia, this colourful industry promises a variety of opportunities. Of course, this also includes the still growing eSports scene. My visit to LEVEL UP Inc is all about reaffirming our support for the games industry. It is my hope, and the nation’s, that we may someday see new, globally recognised, videogames coming out of Malaysia. Be it casually or in competition, these ‘Made in Malaysia’ games have the potential to become major titles in their own right,” he notes.
Dr Salleh’s visit to LEVEL UP Inc had him and KKMM personnel being taken on a tour of the games incubator. Throughout his visit, he and his team had fruitful discussions with various games studios that call LEVEL UP Inc their home.
“Malaysia has become a premium location for games and creative content development in recent years thanks to a growing interest in the industry. With the government acknowledging games-related sectors as an economic contributor, Malaysians can now look forward to turn their passion for games as a career path. As an agency fronting the shift, we aim to provide all the assistance and support necessary to aspire our youth and creative talents to help them become a part of a successful, sustainable and accessible creative content ecosystem,” adds Yasmin.
