Malaysian Game Developers Are Ones to Watch
Gaming is a massive global industry, with blockbuster titles raking in billions year after year. But some of the most innovative and unique gaming experiences are coming from smaller independent studios around the world. Malaysia in particular has cultivated a thriving game development scene that is starting to make waves internationally. The video game industry in Malaysia is expected to reach almost US$500 million in revenue by 2022 and has a projected 8.7% revenue growth rate from 2022 to 2027, showing the potential for this rising market.
If you’re a gaming enthusiast looking for fresh and creative titles to check out, here are four Malaysian-made games that deserve a spot on your radar:
Simulacra (2017)
This detective horror game has a clever premise – you find a missing woman’s phone and have to explore its apps, messages, and content to piece together what happened to her. The gameplay is unlike anything else out there as you dig through the phone’s data and get bombarded with creepy glitches. It’s an effectively unsettling experience.
Kabaret (2022)
Kabaret transports you into a mystical underworld filled with monsters derived from Southeast Asian myths and folklore. As a cursed boy trying to break his spell, you interact with these creatures by brewing tea, playing traditional games, and traversing their extraordinary realm. The vibrant art style and inclusion of regional legends make for a strikingly original visual novel.
Bake ‘n Switch (2020)
This frantic multiplayer party game has you frantically catching, combining, and baking adorable dough creatures before time runs out. It’s a delightfully silly concept that gets even crazier with up to four players cooperating or competing across 100 dynamic levels. The cute but twisted presentation and frenetic co-op action make Bake ‘n Switch an entertaining couch co-op pick.
No Straight Roads (2020)
Easily one of the most stylish and eye-catching games to come out of Malaysia, No Straight Roads is a vibrant action-adventure that follows an indie rock duo fighting against an EDM empire’s musical dominance. The gameplay seamlessly blends fast-paced combat with a rhythm game-style of listening for audio cues to attack enemies in beatdown brawls with bosses. The wildly imaginative world and genre-blending action make this a must-play.
These are just a few examples, but Malaysian game makers are clearly overflowing with creative vision and talent. By fusing concepts from their culture and regional influences with innovative gameplay ideas, they are crafting experiences you won’t find anywhere else. The country’s gaming industry is booming and projected for major growth in the coming years. Now is the perfect time to get onboard with these rising developers putting Malaysia on the international gaming map.