At the opening of Level Up Play 2024, a key component of the Malaysia Digital Content Festival (MYDCF), Minister of Digital YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo emphasized the growing importance of Malaysia’s digital content industry, particularly in gaming and esports.

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has made Level Up Play, a cornerstone of Malaysia’s gaming industry calendar as part of the larger MYDCF initiative. Highlighting the gaming industry’s growth, YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo stated, “The video game or esports industry in Malaysia is expected to earn approximately RM3 billion or USD 649 million.” He further revealed that Malaysia has 22.5 million active players, representing over two-thirds of the country’s population, with 9.7 million being paying users.

Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the industry’s promising future, projecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.55% until 2027. Widespread smartphone adoption, stable internet infrastructure, and the increasing popularity of esports both domestically and internationally drive this growth.

The minister also noted that Malaysia’s digital content industry currently employs around 10,000 professionals across approximately 300 studios. The country has successfully attracted investments from major gaming companies, including Electronic Arts, Codemasters, Streamline Studios, Bandai Namco, PlayStation Studios, Larian Studios, and Virtuous.

Emphasizing the government’s support for the sector, Gobind Singh Deo mentioned initiatives implemented by the MDEC to facilitate global collaborations and drive innovation in the digital economy. YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo concluded his speech on an optimistic note, expressing confidence in Malaysia’s digital future: “I am quite confident that we are on the right track to achieve this goal,” referring to the creation of a dynamic industry where innovation, creativity, and talent thrive.