[IGDX 2024] AGI President Shafiq Husein Outlines Vision of Indonesia’s Gaming Revolution

We had the opportunity to interview Shafiq Husein, the newly appointed President of the Indonesian Game Association or Asosiasi Game Indonesia (AGI) for the 2024-2029 term, during IGDX 2024. Husein, who also runs his own game development company called Gambir Studio, shared valuable insights into Indonesia’s thriving game industry and the challenges faced by indie developers.

Indonesia’s Gaming Landscape

Indonesia has emerged as a powerhouse in the Southeast Asian gaming market. Husein emphasized this point, stating, “Indonesia is the largest gaming market in Southeast Asia. Which is 45.5%, if I’m not mistaken. The user from Southeast Asia is coming from Indonesia. So the market is really, really huge at the moment.” This vast market has led to a surge in game development, with many developers focusing on premium PC and console games.

A significant boost to the industry came with the introduction of Presidential Law Number 19, 2024, aimed at accelerating the gaming ecosystem in Indonesia. Husein highlighted the importance of this legislation, saying, “It’s to accelerate the gaming ecosystem in Indonesia. Which is a very major step for the Indonesian gaming industry. Because the government is very, very supportive at this moment to level up the gaming industry in Indonesia.” This law demonstrates strong government support for elevating the country’s gaming industry and provides a framework for future growth and development.

Support for Indie Developers

The Indonesian Game Association, under Husein’s leadership, is implementing various initiatives to support indie developers. These programs are designed to nurture talent and provide resources for growth. Husein outlined some of these initiatives: “We have a certain program that helps for the junior programmers to have to accelerate their skill. Like the incubations, or the competition. So they have gaming competitions and stuff. They have the game jam things. And doing roadshows for the promotional.”

Additionally, the association is working on developing an Indonesian asset store and exploring government funding options for indie games. Husein mentioned, “We are talking about the funding right now for the indie game. But we’re still working on that. The funding from the government.” These efforts aim to provide a comprehensive support system for indie developers, from skill development to financial assistance.

Vision for the Future

Husein’s vision for the Indonesian game industry is ambitious and far-reaching. He stated, “Well, in my era right now, it’s going to be my vision to become the champions of Southeast Asia.” This goal reflects the confidence in Indonesia’s potential to lead the regional gaming industry.

Beyond market dominance, Husein emphasizes the importance of collaboration across various sectors. He explained, “We want doing the collaborations, not only between the developer and the publisher. But also with the multi-stakeholder as well.” This approach extends to using games as an educational tool for complex topics. Husein elaborated, “We are talking about a game for the inflation. How to teach the public what is inflation? What is stunting? Stuff like that. We want to collaborate with every multi-stakeholder in the industry.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Husein acknowledged the challenges faced by developers, particularly in receiving and implementing feedback. He stressed the importance of being receptive to market demands and publisher insights, encouraging developers to iterate based on feedback rather than becoming too attached to their initial ideas. “Receiving a feedback is not as easy as we say that. But sometimes that it does really work,” Husein noted. He added, “We’re still sometimes making kind of mistakes by developing games because we’re going to be biased with our own games, right?”

To address these challenges, Husein advocates for a more open mindset among developers. “I always tell them that the competition is out there. The users will choose, are you going to be a good product or not? Not the publisher, it’s not you, but the player itself,” he emphasized.

Several events were mentioned that provide support and opportunities for developers. IGDX (Indonesia Game Developer Exchange) serves as a platform for developers to showcase their work and network with industry professionals. Husein also highlighted other initiatives: “We have a WIDURI. It’s running from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as well. And also that we have GameSeed.” These events offer various opportunities, from mentorship to competitions, aimed at fostering growth in the indie game development community.

Balancing Creativity and Business

Shafiq Husein emphasized the need for balance between creative aspirations and business realities. He advises developers to create commercially viable products to ensure financial stability, while also allowing room for experimental projects once the cash flow is secure. “I always tell my team that you have to remember that you make something for other people, not for you,” Husein stated, highlighting the importance of market-oriented thinking.

However, he also recognizes the need for creative freedom: “But I will give you room if you want to do experimental products. But we have to secure our financials first and then go ahead to creating your experimental project as long as the cash flow is safe.” This approach aims to strike a balance between commercial success and creative fulfillment, ensuring the sustainability of game development studios.

In conclusion, Shafiq Husein’s insights paint a picture of a rapidly growing Indonesian game industry with strong government support and a focus on nurturing indie talent. While challenges remain, the future looks promising for Indonesia’s game developers as they aim to make their mark on the global stage. With a combination of market opportunity, government backing, and industry initiatives, Indonesia is poised to become a significant player in the international gaming landscape.

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