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

In your consideration of extending the reach of your game into Southeast Asia, collaboration with an Indonesian game publisher is effective. But what should you keep in mind before joining this collaboration? After all, Indonesia is considered one of the most rapid growth areas for gaming centers in Southeast Asia, with more than 180 million gamers and revenues reportedly reaching a high of $1.6 billion, or Rp25 trillion, in 2023.

How do you move around in this massive landscape? Some factors would bring you up or down, from knowing local tastes to dealing with infrastructural complications. Whether it be a small indie developer or a big-name studio, finding the right publisher to associate yourself with is crucial.

But don't sweat it; we got your back. In this post, we're showing you the key points to consider so that your partnership not only goes as smoothly as silk but will truly make your game thrive in one of the most dynamic gaming markets in the world.

Indonesia's Booming Gaming Market, Opportunity for Developers

The Indonesian gaming market is growing hugely, providing a gold opportunity for those developers who want to expand their circle. Indonesia currently sits at 16th position globally and first in Southeast Asia, with USD 1.6 trillion in sales by the end of 2023.

That is not just a number; that is a sure signal showing this market is ready for growth. Indonesia hosts 43% of all gamers in the Southeast Asia area and is playing a big role in the explosive growth of the esports industry.

But probably the most interesting fact about Indonesian gamers is that mobile gaming dominates the scene. Most of the gamers in the country do not own high-performance gaming computers or consoles; instead, they are all about their smartphones, especially Android ones. This opens up a great avenue for developers, mostly those into mobile games. If your game runs great on Android, you've just got one foot inside the door.

Indonesians are among the most dedicated players in the world, with an average of 8.54 hours/week spent on gaming, above the international average. That means that if you manage to get Indonesian gamers' attention, they are most likely to stick and time-invest in your game.

With this landscape in mind, developers seriously would want to consider partnering with an experienced Indonesian game publisher. These publishers are local experts who can guide you through many unique challenges with their market insight.

Also Read: Innovative Strategy of Indonesian Game Publishers for Local Gamers

Important Tips for Partnering with an Indonesian Game Publisher

Here’s what you need to know to ensure a successful partnership with an Indonesian game publisher:

1. Expertise in the Local Gaming Industry

Among the things you need to consider before you can use the services of an Indonesian game publisher is the experience of the firm within the Indonesian gaming industry. Why does that matter? Rather simply, Indonesia's market for games takes on a life of its own, bringing with it a peculiar set of problems and opportunities. A publisher who is deeply experienced in this market will be one of your greatest assets.

First off, an experienced publisher will have a comprehensive understanding of what works in Indonesia and what doesn't. They've likely navigated the local market for years, publishing games similar to yours and learning the ins and outs of what resonates with Indonesian gamers. This means they know how to position your game, what features to highlight, and even how to tweak gameplay elements to better fit local tastes. It is not just about knowing the market. A seasoned publisher will also help you avoid those common pitfalls that new developers often fall into. Be it the technical requirements specific to the region, managing project timelines well, or understanding the intricacies of the local infrastructure, their experience is a treasure. They have seen what works and, more importantly, what does not work, so they can guide you every step of the way in making informed decisions on development and launch.

Moreover, an experienced publisher can bring in senior professionals who have worked on successful projects before. These experts can collaborate closely with your development team, sharing insights, answering questions, and even providing crucial documentation that can streamline your project. This kind of hands-on support can be a game-changer, ensuring that your game not only reaches the Indonesian market but thrives in it.

2. Having a Comprehensive Testing Procedure

Another key factor to consider before partnering with an Indonesian game publisher is whether they have a comprehensive testing procedure in place. A solid testing process is crucial for ensuring your game performs well and meets quality standards. It’s not just a basic bug check; you need a publisher who conducts thorough testing across various aspects—like platform performance, gameplay mechanics, and user focus groups. For example, look at Digital-Trans Asia, a publisher that successfully brought the popular game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang to the Indonesian market. They achieved this success in part because of their rigorous testing procedures. By thoroughly evaluating the game across different platforms and gathering detailed feedback, they were able to make the necessary adjustments before launch, ensuring a smooth entry into the market.

3. Ability to Provide Consistent Feedback

Imagine that you’re working with an Indonesian game publisher who only gives vague comments early on, barely paying attention to the details. Then, as the launch date approaches, they suddenly dive in and want to change everything. That’s a nightmare scenario for any game developer. A good publisher respects the hundreds of hours your team has put into developing the game and offers specific, constructive feedback at every stage. This feedback should come from experienced professionals in areas like code, art, design, and audio, ensuring that it’s both relevant and actionable. By providing detailed critiques, along with clear references and examples, they help you avoid confusion and keep everything on track.

Also Read: 10 Key People Driving Success for Indonesian Game Publishers

4. Understanding of the Legal Aspects

The gaming industry is riddled with legal minefields. Just think of how many copyrights, licensing agreements, and other contracts have to be absolutely solid. Unless your publisher truly understands such legalities, you're just begging for headaches later on.

In Indonesia, the legal situation of the gaming industry can get pretty complicated, especially when it concerns the protection of intellectual property and assurance of legal compliance in all aspects of content. That's why it's a good idea to have an Indonesian game publisher who can take care of all these legal details to help you with possible issues, like avoiding copyright infringement or making sure that licensing agreements for everything are taken care of. It's not only to prevent a lawsuit but to cover yourself so that your game's long-term success and, farther along, its reputation are protected.

Apart from that, a publisher with a legally strong background can help in drafting clear and fair contracts, setting the right terms of revenue sharing, thereby making sure both parties are on the same page. This level of understanding is essential for building a strong, trust-based relationship that benefits both you and the publisher. So, before you jump into a partnership, make sure your potential publisher has a comprehensive knowledge of the legal aspects of the Indonesian gaming industry.

Conclusion

In summary, partnering with an Indonesian game publisher can be one of the strategic choices for any game developer who wants to enter Indonesia's fast-moving gaming market. However, several factors are very important to take into consideration in ensuring a collaboration is profitable. To further boost your game's potential in this dynamic market, consider partnering with Digital-Trans Asia for your localization needs. With a deep understanding of Indonesia's gaming culture and extensive experience in game localization, Digital-Trans Asia can help you tailor your game to resonate with local players. Whether it's adapting the language, ensuring cultural relevance, or meeting technical requirements, their team of experts is dedicated to making your game a hit in Indonesia.