Malaysia is asking the public to weigh in on a new set of rules aimed at making online gaming safer for Malaysian children and other players. The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) has launched a 45-day nationwide consultation on its proposed Gaming Sub-Code, a set of standards that will apply to game developers, publishers, distributors and platforms whose games can be accessed in Malaysia.

The draft code covers a wide range of issues, including age classification and age checks, parental controls, in-game purchases, virtual currencies, loot boxes and gacha mechanics, user-generated content, reporting and moderation, bullying and harassment, and protections for younger players taking part in esports.

CMCF said the goal is to give clearer guidance to companies operating in the gaming sector while taking into account the different types of games and business models that exist today. The organisation pointed out that gaming now blends entertainment, social interaction and spending in ways that were less common before, which is part of why updated safeguards are being considered.

The draft was put together with input from a working group made up of Malaysian and international game publishers and technology companies, esports representatives, academics, civil society groups and child-safety advocates. People connected to major gaming names such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, Roblox, Xbox, PlayStation, Google Play Store and Minecraft took part, alongside local developers and organisations including the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, SUHAKAM and Protect and Save the Children.

CMCF Chairman Datuk Rafiq Razali said gaming today brings together entertainment, social interaction and spending in the same space, and that safeguards need to keep up as these features continue to change, particularly for younger players. He added that good standards cannot be built without understanding how games actually work, which is why developers, publishers, platforms, esports stakeholders, child-safety experts and users were brought into the same discussions. He said the aim is to create safeguards that work for Malaysian users and the industry, while being able to adapt to a fast-changing sector.

Some of the specific areas under review include how a player’s age should shape their experience in a game, whether parental and safety tools are easy enough to find and use, how spending and virtual currencies are shown to younger users, and how clearly chance-based features like loot boxes and gacha systems are explained. The draft also looks at safeguards for children and younger players taking part in organised esports competitions, as the local esports scene continues to expand.

The Gaming Sub-Code will work alongside the existing Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code and other laws. CMCF said public feedback matters because decisions on gaming should reflect the experiences of players and families, not just industry and regulatory views. The consultation runs until October 24 2026, with gamers, parents, publishers and other interested groups invited to review the draft and share their feedback before it is finalised.