The Southeast Asia Game Developers Conference – LEVEL UP KL 2022 taking place on 4th October until 7th October, aims to empower Malaysia’s digital video game industry towards becoming the regional gaming hub.

LEVEL UP KL is an annual event and is organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) , the nation’s lead digital economy agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM). With the pandemic restrictions being lifted, the event will be returning to its physical format having 1,500 participants, 80 speakers, and over 100 exhibitors from all across the globe.

According to the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr Annuar Haji Musa, LEVEL UP KL 2022 is a commitment in establishing and empowering Malaysia to become a world-class gaming ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

He also mentions that “LEVEL UP KL showcases the breadth of talents in Malaysia’s gaming industry to international players; hence, creating opportunities for partnerships and future investments from the region.”

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC said that “LEVEL UP KL is aligned with the recently launched Malaysia Digital (MD), a national strategic initiative which aims to encourage and attract companies, talents and investments while enabling Malaysians businesses and the Rakyat to play a leading part in the global digital economy.”

He also adds that “LEVEL UP KL, which is in its eight-year running, puts local businesses and talent on a global level by attracting industry players with its thought-leadership keynotes, high-level panel discussions, and exciting collaborations.”

This year, MDEC are set to making several key announcements in the gaming industry:

MDEC will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nine66, a Saudi Arab-based gaming company, to explore and promote game development collaboration between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. This will include providing overseas internship opportunities for local talent to enhance their skills and increase their global work exposure.

MDEC will also be signing a MoU with home-grown game studio, Magnus Games Studio to promote Metaverse initiative and projects. MDEC will also collaborate with Magnus Games Studio at the upcoming Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2022 (MYDCF), where Magnus Games will support the marketing and promotion of MYDCF on their metaverse platform.

Additionally, MDEC will also be signing a MoU with SEA Gamer Mall (SEAGM) to launch the Malaysia Game Fest (MGF). Driven by MDEC, MGF is aimed at promoting local game products and increasing IP commercialisation by leveraging on its Southeast Asian platform partners. The three-month campaign will start in October and end in December 2022.

The video game industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in Malaysia in terms of the digital economy sector. According to PWC Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2019-2023, the video game market generated revenue of US$ 214.2 billion in 2021 (excluding e-sports), with a forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4 percent to reach US$321.1 billion by 2026.

LEVEL UP KL 2022 continues to support Malaysia’s position as a regional hub by creating a conducive, inclusive, and globally competitive digital content ecosystem. It also reflects the Government’s ambitions of catalysing the game industry by supporting the ecosystem for game developers and publishers, while at the same time exposing and creating awareness of new gaming technology by providing a platform for the community to interact, learn and share knowledge in game development.