7 reasons why the video game industry is growing rapidly in Indonesia

The author feels that the Video Game Industry is actually more promising when compared to several other forms of business, especially in the era of Indonesia’s 4.0 industrial revolution. This is also evidenced by the number of start-ups that focus on the use of existing IT that is engaged in services rather than producing a product.

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Compared to other industries in general, the video game industry can produce both a service and a product. Several video game studios in Indonesia have started showing their fangs, such as Devata Game Production from Bali and Stairway Games from Yogyakarta. Some of the reasons below are also the key to the growth of the video game industry in Indonesia today.

1. Indonesia has many Public Figures and Content Creators

The number of Public Figures and Content Creators can help promote the developer’s product. This is actually a good sign considering the market share in Indonesia that some video game studios can do some kind of collaboration with some influential figures, such as Christabella Annora as the accompaniment song in She and The Light Bearer (2019).

Imagine if we have many digital works with positive responses from gamers internationally, the author believes that we can become an independent country and at the same time contribute to the progress of the country.

2. Digital Art Jobs are increasingly needed

Readers can find out that today’s digital needs, especially in the field of graphic design, will be increasingly needed in any industry. Several companies are currently also opening a lot of intern with a position as a graphic designer. One sign that game studios will be flooded with job applications with positions such as character illustrator or even as a UI/UX Designer.

3. The number of players who have the potential to become Esports Athletes

In this case, the author feels that Indonesian gamers are more likely to choose to become mobile game esports athletes than PCs. This is because players feel that smartphones are more practical and affordable. It can also be seen that Indonesian players currently have a fairly large community in the games Free Fire (2017) and Mobile Legends (2016). Even though there are many other competitive games such as Valorant (2020), DoTA2 (2013), Rainbow Six: Siege (2015), CS:GO (2016) and League of Legends PC (2009).

Perhaps, this is due to the lack of advertising and marketing carried out by publishers and some of the titles above may also not suit players in Indonesia. The author’s hope is that maybe among readers, they can make competitive games equivalent to the ones I mentioned above, Lokapala (2020) is an example of a competitive game created by our own nation.

4. Video games have a big impact on mental health

It is known that around 15.6 million people in Indonesia suffer from depression. The author feels that this is a serious problem if it cannot be handled quickly, because depression is one of the factors that a person can commit suicide. In addition to being a cause of suicide, depression can make it difficult for a person to live a normal daily life, they can even lose interest in something.

Knowing this, the authors found scientific journals that provide evidence that playing video games with action genres can reduce a person’s symptoms of depression and can make someone happy. The author’s hope is that through the video game industry itself, it can help deal with mental health issues that occur in the population in Indonesia.

5. Video games have many benefits in cognitive development

Video games can also improve one’s cognitive abilities, such as increasing the player’s reaction ability, spatial ability, improving abilities mental flexibility (adapts to changes in mood instantly), improves multi-tasking capabilities and much more. These scientific studies can be the basis of making a game that can stimulate the development of the video game industry itself.

Games that support cognitive development as the author mentioned above are generally action games, but other genres are possible. Dreadout (2014) and Pulang: Insanity (2020) is one of the games that can train the cognitive development of the player himself, even though the theme he brings is quite heavy.

6. The number of events in Indonesia that can be a source of inspiration

History and culture in Indonesia is very rich, all of which can be used as a source of inspiration for a video game. Of course, readers know that when it comes to creativity, everything needs inspiration, right? No exception for a video game studio that will produce an IP (Intellectual Property) that can attract gamers today.

For example, the events of November 10 in Surabaya, the seizure of the Orange Hotel or the Yamato Hotel and so on. As a reference, the Indonesian National Archives has just opened a YouTube channel containing documentary videos of historical events so that they can be accessed by the general public.

7. The Video Game Industry is actually growing faster in the midst of a pandemic

This is quite surprising to the author, it turns out that the sales level of several video game industries is currently experiencing a fairly sharp increase in sales globally. In addition to the sharp increase in sales results, the Video Game Industry is predicted to continue to develop and operate steadily, even after the pandemic ends. In Indonesia, the Indonesian Game Association claims that developers in Indonesia have also increased during the pandemic.

This is all proof that the Video Game Industry and the industry that moves in digital form can still survive strongly during the pandemic. According to the author, working from home is a luxury, some developed countries such as Germany have actually implemented working from home for a long time, even before the pandemic.

Well, those are the reasons why Indonesia can take part as a pioneer of one of the video game industries today. Even though there are no big game studios like Ubisoft or Electronic Arts, at least readers can take a step forward as to what video games will be made later. If you find it difficult, you can start with an indie studio. If you can, bring a thick Indonesian feel. May be useful!

Also read other articles related to video game analysis and other interesting insights from Gideonair.

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