Indonesian Culture in International Games, What’s the List?

Indonesia has multiple ways to expand internationally. In the gaming industry, developers from around the world are integrating aspects of Indonesian culture into their games. How are these international games more engaging for players? Let's find out the list!

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a highly popular mobile MOBA game created by Moonton. In this game, two teams of five players each compete in real-time, aiming to destroy the enemy's base, while protecting their own. Meanwhile, the key features include:

• Heroes:The game features a wide array of heroes with unique skills and roles, such as tanks, mages, marksmen, assassins, supports, and fighters, allowing for complex strategies and dynamic gameplay. In addition, there are two heroes who are inspired by Gatotkaca and Nyai Roro Kidul.

• Gameplay: Players control their heroes using simple touch controls. This international game emphasizes teamwork and strategy, requiring players to work together to defeat opponents, control objectives, and push lanes to ultimately destroy the enemy base.

• Modes: In addition to the classic 5v5 mode, the game offers various other modes like Brawl, Survival, and Custom modes, providing a variety of experiences and challenges. Graphics and Sound: The game features high-quality graphics and immersive sound effects, providing an engaging visual and auditory experience. Its vibrant and detailed art style appeals to a wide audience.

Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor is a widely popular mobile MOBA game developed by TiMi Studios and published by Tencent Games, known for its fast-paced action and strategic gameplay that attracts millions of players globally. Moreover, the key features include:

• Heroes: The game boasts a diverse selection of over 100 heroes, each with distinct abilities and roles such as tanks, warriors, mages, assassins, marksmen, and supports. This variety enables players to form balanced teams and develop complex strategies. In addition, the players can find Indonesian culture here since there is a hero called Wiro Sableng, the foremost legendary figure in early 2000.

• Gameplay: In Arena of Valor, two teams of five players compete to destroy the enemy’s core while defending their own. Players navigate three lanes, defeat enemy minions, and destroy defensive towers, requiring teamwork, strategy, and quick reflexes.

• Game Modes: In addition to the standard 5v5 mode, the game offers various other modes, including 3v3, 1v1, and special event modes, providing diverse challenges and experiences. Ranked mode allows players to compete for higher rankings and rewards based on their performance.

• Graphics and Sound: The game features high-quality graphics, detailed character designs, and impressive visual effects. Immersive sound effects and music enhance the intensity and dynamism of battles. To complete this, players can personalize their heroes with various skins and unlock new abilities through an in-game progression system, allowing them to tailor their gameplay experience.

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 is a highly praised open-world first-person shooter created by Ubisoft Montreal and released by Ubisoft in 2012. Set on the fictional Rook Islands, a tropical archipelago controlled by dangerous pirates and mercenaries, this international game offers an immersive and thrilling experience. Furthermore, the key features include:

• Storyline: Players take on the role of Jason Brody, a young man who must save his kidnapped friends and escape the islands after a skydiving trip goes terribly wrong. The story follows Jason’s journey from a scared tourist to a battle-hardened survivor, delving into psychological themes and moral challenges. Although there is no specific name for the island, Indonesian culture exists through the presence of Komodo dragons. There is also a character named Citra, who indicates Indonesia’s cultural element.

• Gameplay: Far Cry 3 blends first-person shooting with stealth mechanics, allowing players to tackle situations in various ways. The game features a crafting system for creating items like medical syringes and weapon holsters from materials found on the island.

• Graphics and Sound: The game is lauded for its detailed graphics, realistic environments, and dynamic weather system, which together create an immersive experience. The voice acting, especially Michael Mando’s portrayal of Vaas, and the atmospheric soundtrack further enhance the game's intensity and emotional impact.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is the second game in the Splinter Cell series, created by Ubisoft Shanghai and published by its developer. Released in 2004, the game continues the story of Sam Fisher, an elite operative working for a secret NSA division known as the Third Echelon. It’s available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance. Besides, the key features include:

• Storyline: This international game is set in the near future amidst high international tensions. Sam Fisher is sent on a mission to neutralize a new threat: an Indonesian terrorist group led by Suhadi Sadono. Sadono has implemented a plan called “Pandora Tomorrow,” involving biological bombs placed around the United States that will detonate if he is captured or killed. Fisher’s mission takes him to various global locations, such as East Timor, France, Israel, and Indonesia, as he works to thwart Sadono and eliminate the threat.

• Gameplay: Pandora Tomorrow builds on the stealth-focused gameplay of the original Splinter Cell, emphasizing the use of light and shadow for evading detection. Players must carefully navigate environments, utilizing various gadgets and skills to remain unseen. The game introduces several new elements, including Whistling (Sam can whistle to draw the attention of guards), SWAT Turn (This allows Sam to quickly move across doorways without being seen), and Hanging Shooting (Sam can hang from pipes and shoot at enemies below).

• Graphics and Sound: The game offers improved graphics compared to its predecessor, with more detailed environments and better lighting effects that enhance the stealth gameplay. The sound design is equally impressive, featuring realistic ambient noises and a dynamic soundtrack that heightens the tension and atmosphere of the missions.

Just Cause 2

Just Cause 2 is an action-adventure game with an open-world setting, developed by Avalanche Studios, published by Eidos Interactive, and distributed by Square Enix. It was released in March 2010 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. As a sequel to the 2006 game, it’s renowned for its expansive open-world environment, dynamic gameplay, and high-energy action sequences.

• Storyline: The game takes place on the fictional Southeast Asian island of Panau, a vast archipelago featuring tropical forests, deserts, and snowy mountains, indicating Indonesian culture. Players control Rico Rodriguez, an agent for a covert organization known as the Agency. Rico’s mission is to overthrow the island’s dictator, Pandak “Baby” Panay, and confront his former mentor, Tom Sheldon, who has gone rogue.

• Gameplay: Just Cause 2 is famous for its large open-world environment, covering over 400 square miles. The game world includes varied landscapes, from urban areas to remote jungles and high mountain peaks. Players can explore the island at their leisure, uncover hidden locations, complete missions, and cause chaos.

• Graphics and Sound: This international game showcases impressive graphics for its time, with detailed environments, realistic weather effects, and dynamic day-night cycles. The game’s sound design complements the action, featuring explosive sound effects, an appropriate musical score, and voice acting that brings the characters and world to life.

Read also: Discovering Success Factors of 4 International Games in Indonesia

Civilization 5

This international game is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. Released in September 2010 for Microsoft Windows and later for OS X and Linux, it’s the fifth major installment in the Civilization series. The game challenges players to build and expand an empire throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era, through strategic planning and management.

• Gameplay: The players assume the role of a historical leader, guiding their civilization from its inception through thousands of years of development. The goal is to achieve one of several victory conditions, such as military conquest, cultural dominance, scientific advancement, or diplomatic supremacy. The game is played on a hexagonal grid map, a first for the series, allowing for more strategic maneuvering and positioning compared to the square grid of previous titles.

• Civilizations and Leaders: The Indonesian culture is presented by a famous historical figure possessing unique abilities, units, and buildings, such as Gajah Mada from Kerajaan Majapahit. Meanwhile, diplomacy plays a crucial role in "Civilization V." Players can engage in trade agreements, alliances, and negotiations with other civilizations and city-states. The game also features the World Congress (later expanded into the United Nations), where civilizations vote on global resolutions that can impact the entire game.

• Culture and Social Policies: Culture points are accumulated to adopt social policies, which provide various bonuses and advantages. These policies are grouped into trees such as Tradition, Liberty, Honor, and Rationalism. Each tree offers different benefits, catering to various playstyles and strategies. On top of that, in the “Gods & Kings” expansion, religion allows players to find and spread their own custom religions. Religious beliefs provide unique bonuses, and religious units like missionaries and inquisitors play a role in spreading and maintaining faith.

The culture and social policies also cover the ideologies that are called the "Brave New World,” which are powerful late-game policies that players can adopt based on their government type (Freedom, Order, or Autocracy). To add to that, ideologies provide significant bonuses and can influence diplomatic relations. Graphics and Sound: This one features a refined visual style with detailed unit models, lush landscapes, and dynamic weather effects. The game's interface is designed to be intuitive, making it accessible to both new and veteran players. The sound design includes an atmospheric soundtrack, realistic sound effects, and voiceovers for each civilization leader.

V-Rally

V-Rally is a popular racing video game series (1997-2018) known for its focus on off-road and rally racing gameplay. Developed by Eden Studios and published by Infogrames (later Atari), the series gained fame for its challenging tracks, diverse vehicle selection, and realistic handling mechanics. Here’s an overview of the series: Gameplay Highlights: Throughout the series, players could select from a variety of licensed vehicles, each offering distinct handling characteristics tailored for different types of terrain and racing scenarios.

• Modes of Play: The games featured multiple modes, including: Championship (A series of races across different locations aiming for championship victory), Time Trial (Racing against the clock to achieve the fastest lap times on specific tracks), and Arcade Modes (Providing accessible and quick racing experiences for casual play). In addition, the setting represents the nuances of Indonesian culture.

• Visuals and Audio: Over the years, advancements in graphics and sound design enhanced the series, capturing the excitement of rally racing through detailed car models, lifelike environments, and immersive audio effects.

Chess Rush

Chess Rush is a turn-based strategy auto battler game developed and published by Tencent Games. Released in July 2019 for iOS and Android devices, it quickly gained popularity due to its engaging mechanics, strategic depth, and polished presentation. Here’s a comprehensive overview:

• Gameplay: In Chess Rush, players place units strategically on a chessboard-like grid, and these units automatically battle against opponents each round. The objective is to build a powerful team by selecting, upgrading, and positioning units effectively to outlast other players. Meanwhile, there is an option for players to use Gundala Putra Petir, as a hero and it turns out as a mascot as well in this game.
• Game Modes: Classic Mode (The standard mode where eight players compete until only one remains. Each player starts with a set amount of health, and the goal is to be the last player standing), Turbo Mode (A faster version of the classic mode, designed for quicker gameplay sessions), Co-op Mode (Allows players to team up with friends or other players to battle against other teams, emphasizing cooperation and combined strategies, Squad Clash (A 4v4 mode where teams of four players compete, focusing on teamwork and collective strategy).
• Graphics and Sound: Chess Rush features vibrant and detailed graphics, with each unit uniquely designed to reflect its class and species. The game’s visuals are complemented by smooth animations and effects that enhance the overall gameplay experience. The sound design includes engaging background music and sound effects that add to the immersive atmosphere. Read also: How Indonesian Mythology Inspires Indie Game Development

Ragnarok Online

This international game is a well-known MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) developed and published by the South Korean company Gravity Co., Ltd. Released in South Korea in 2002 and inspired by the manhwa “Ragnarok” by Lee Myung-jin, the game has garnered a global following. Here's a comprehensive overview:

• Storyline: The game is set in Rune Midgard, a mystical world inspired by Norse mythology. This realm features diverse landscapes, such as bustling cities, serene forests, and dangerous dungeons. However, the developer inserted Indonesian culture as well by displaying Pulau Komodo and Pulau Dewata. The game’s lore involves a complex narrative involving gods, demons, and humans, with storylines that revolve around conflicts among these factions and quests that uncover the history and secrets of Rune Midgard.
• Gameplay: Players start by creating a character, customizing its appearance, and choosing a starting class. The game offers a rich class system with multiple progression paths. Initially, players choose from basic classes like Swordsman, Mage, Archer, Thief, Acolyte, and Merchant. As they level up, they can advance to more specialized classes and eventually reach powerful second and third job classes. Each class has unique skills and abilities, allowing for diverse play styles and strategies.
• Graphics and Sound: Ragnarok Online features distinctive 2D sprite characters set against richly detailed 3D backgrounds. The art style is colorful and anime-inspired, with charming character designs and vibrant environments. The game’s soundtrack, composed by SoundTeMP, is highly acclaimed, featuring a variety of memorable tracks that enhance the immersive experience.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is a fighting game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games. Released in 2011 for arcades and in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U, it is the eighth main installment in the Tekken series and the sequel to “Tekken Tag Tournament (1999). Thus, here is a comprehensive overview:

• Gameplay: The game features a tag team system, allowing players to select two characters to form a team. Players can switch between their characters during matches, using tag combos and strategies to gain the upper hand. The tag system adds a layer of depth and strategy, as players must manage the health and abilities of both characters effectively. Meanwhile, during one of the battle scenes, shadow puppetry was performed in the background, instantly capturing the attention of foreign tourists who were eager to experience this traditional art form firsthand.
• Game Modes: This game covers three game modes: Arcade, Ghost Battle, and Online. It then features robust online multiplayer modes, including ranked matches, player matches, and tournaments. The game’s netcode ensures smooth and competitive online play, allowing players to compete against others from around the world.
• Graphics and Sound: It features high-quality graphics with detailed character models and smooth animations. The game’s visual effects, such as dynamic lighting and particle effects, enhance the action and intensity of battles. The soundtrack includes a mix of energetic and atmospheric tracks that complement the fast-paced gameplay.

The inclusion of Indonesian culture in international games demonstrates its significant role in enhancing the appeal of a game. This element, which serves as a form of subtle promotion, ultimately has a broader impact, particularly on the global tourism sector. From the list above, which games have you played?