Indonesian Game Publishers: Key Benefits for Global Developers

The presence of game publishers has become one of the driving forces for the growth of the game industry in Indonesia. Many game titles, both domestic and foreign, commercially succeeded due to Indonesian game publishers.

Take, for example, local hits such as Code Atma by Agate, a dark RPG, to international sensation Free Fire, which stole Indonesian gamers' attention, all thanks to Garena Indonesia. The examples above show just how priceless a local publisher can get, considering Indonesia is one of the biggest markets in the world, number three in the mobile gaming market.

Rather than going through the complexities of self-publishing, it is a better idea to tie up with an Indonesian game publisher to reach this huge audience. What are the benefits that you get from a local publisher?

The Benefit of Partnering with Indonesian Game Publishers

Partnering with Indonesian game publishers offers developers more than just market access. Let’s dive into the key advantages of this partnership:

Read more: How Indonesian Game Publishers Differ from Game Developers

1. Funding and Financial Support of Game Production

Developing a game is far from an easy task. The process is lengthy, exhausting, and undeniably expensive. From the initial concept to testing and final release, each step involves significant costs. Often, game developers face a tough challenge: how to secure the necessary funds to bring their projects to life? This financial struggle is particularly true for indie developers, where budget constraints frequently become the biggest hurdle to realizing their creative ideas.

This is where Indonesian game publishers play a vital role. What do they bring to the table? One of the primary benefits of partnering with a local publisher is the financial support they offer. Indonesian publishers usually have the resources to help developers cover most, if not all, of their development expenses. With this backing, developers can concentrate more on the creative aspects of their projects without the constant worry of how to finance the development process.

2. Marketing and Promotion

Besides financial support, another great advantage of working with Indonesian game publishers is the expertise in marketing and promotion they can provide. The publisher knows how to reach the target audience and present a game that will stand out in today's crowded market. For inexperienced developers, this marketing know-how is priceless. Take Toge Productions, for example. Their marketing team has actively collaborated with local studios, such as Mojiken Studio, Tahoe Games, and Rolling Glory Jam, to ensure successful game launches.

3. Localization Support

Localization, while an involved and costly process, is one aspect well catered to by publishers, due to their resources. While catering to local languages and cultural preferences, they allow developers to have larger audiences, more international appeal, and greater revenue potential for the game. With a publisher’s localization support, expanding into diverse markets becomes far more accessible. This assistance can be a game-changer for developers looking to maximize their global impact.

4. Testing and Quality Assurance

Indonesian game publishers offer significant support to developers by handling game testing, quality assurance (QA), and providing technical assistance throughout the development phase. Their expertise ensures that games adhere to high standards and are free from major issues before being released. This is especially valuable to indie developers, who may either lack the resources or experience in order to polish their games. Most often, a publisher will execute both internal and external tests in order to confirm the quality of a game and its readiness for market release.

Internal testing focuses on identifying bugs and improving the overall gameplay experience, while external testing might involve advertising on platforms like Facebook to gather player feedback. This external feedback helps refine the game and ensure it meets market expectations. After the game passes these tests, publishers usually take a commission ranging from 50% to 60% and then begin marketing it. With their expertise and resources, they ensure that the game not only meets quality standards but also reaches its intended audience effectively.

Things to Consider When Partnering with an Indonesian Game Publisher

While teaming up with a publisher is quite a huge boost to the funding, marketing, and localization support, there are certain factors you definitely have to take into consideration seriously before signing with a publisher. What should you look out for? Below are some key points to consider before diving in:

1. Read the Entire Agreement

This might sound like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many developers sign agreements without reading them. A lot of the time publishers make you sign long, complicated contracts full of legalese, and it can be very tempting to skip over sections.

It will be very important to read each line carefully, nonetheless. These agreements lay out the terms of your partnership, including how you share profits, creative control, and when projects should be completed. One overlooked key clause may considerably affect your revenue or how you develop your game. Does the agreement specify deadlines for each phase of the development process? Are there clear terms about your role versus the publisher’s? All of this needs to be crystal clear before you proceed. If there’s something in the contract that you’re not comfortable with, flag it immediately for further discussion.

2. What Are You Willing to Sacrifice for Funding?

Game development is not cheap. You might be thrilled to get the financial backing that is going to bring your game to life, but what you gotta ask yourself is: What are you giving up in return? This would imply that quite a number of Indonesian publishers will seek certain rights from the developers in return for the funding provided. At times, this may require partial or full release of ownership of the IP of your game or giving up control over decisions concerning creative direction.

Are you okay with a publisher telling you what needs to be changed within the storyline, characters, or even gameplay mechanics? Sometimes, developers end up in a position where they have lost the essence of what initially started them.

Others will have to accept inferior revenue splits. Perhaps publishers will ask for 50%, or 60%, of the game's profits in exchange for the services they provide. Is this a deal you are willing to accept?

3. Consult an Independent Legal Expert

When faced with a contract, it’s always wise to consult an independent legal expert who specializes in intellectual property and game development agreements. It would be most expected that the publisher has his own legal team drafting up the contract; thus, his interests will be covered. Having your own legal representative guarantees that you have a person at your side who can break down the agreement terms to understand and look out for your best interests. A specialized lawyer may explain what you may be setting yourself up for in later years after signing this contract. They’ll also point out red flags or clauses that might not be in your favor.

4. Everything Is Negotiable to Some Extent

One of the biggest myths that developers hold is that contracts are chiseled in stone. In fact, most contracts are at least somewhat negotiable.

Publishers expect developers to negotiate, so don't be afraid to raise questions or make amendments to the contract. Be it negotiating a better percentage of profit, asking for more creative control, or adjusting the deadlines to suit your schedule, don’t hesitate to speak up.

Read More: Key Factors to Keep in Mind When Partnering with an Indonesian Game Publisher

5. Never Sign What You Don’t Fully Understand

Finally, one golden rule that every developer should observe is never sign anything you do not understand. If something in the agreement is not clear, ask for an explanation. Any pressure by anyone to have you sign in a rush without considering your option of time to reflect or even take advice must be avoided. You may enter into a legally binding agreement without having understood the terms of such an agreement and live to regret it.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, partnering with an Indonesian game publisher offers a range of valuable benefits for developers aiming to expand globally. From securing crucial funding to receiving expert marketing and localization support, these partnerships can make all the difference in your game's success. However, it’s essential to weigh the trade-offs, such as creative control and revenue sharing, before diving in.

Are you looking for an experienced Indonesian game publisher to unlock the benefits mentioned above? Look no further than Digital-Trans Asia. As a reliable partner, Digital-Trans Asia specializes in helping developers like you localize and launch your games successfully in Indonesia.

From securing funding to expertise in marketing and promotion, or even technical support in quality assurance and game testing, they have the resources and experience to guide your game along its road to success. This is a very great opportunity to collaborate with a publisher that understands all the intricacies of the Indonesian market.