The Success of Indonesian Game Publishers in the International Market

The Indonesian gaming industry has shown rapid development in recent years. Not only developing in the domestic market but also starting to penetrate the international market. One of the key factors contributing to this success is the role of Indonesian game publishers. Local game publishers have succeeded in proving that they are able to compete at the global level and distribute quality games from Indonesia throughout the world. In this article, we will discuss the factors that influence the success of Indonesian game publishers in the international market as well as the challenges and opportunities that exist in this industry.

1. The Role of Indonesian Game Publishers in the International Market

Indonesian game publishers play an important role in introducing local game products to the international market. They not only act as a link between developers and the market but also help with marketing, distribution, and improving the quality of games. By utilizing a global network, Indonesian publishers have succeeded in breaking geographical boundaries and expanding the reach of Indonesian games to various countries.

One successful example is game publishers such as Megaxus and Agate, which have released several game titles to the international market. These games are not only well received by local players but also by global players. With proper management, Indonesian game publishers can present products that suit the tastes of the international market without having to lose their strong local identity.

Read More: 5 Reasons Why Indonesian Game Localization Matters for Gaming Industry

2. Success Factors for Indonesian Game Publishers in the International Market

There are several main factors that contribute to the success of Indonesian game publishers in the international market. These factors include:

a. Creativity and Innovation

One of the strengths of Indonesian game publishers is their ability to innovate and develop creative content. Many games produced by local developers have unique themes inspired by Indonesian culture but are still relevant in the global market. For example, games like DreadOut combine typical Indonesian horror elements with interesting gameplay. This game managed to get attention from international players because of its fresh and different approach.

b. Collaboration with Global Partners

Collaboration with international game publishers is also the key to success for Indonesian game publishers. By establishing partnerships with global game companies, Indonesian publishers can benefit from access to a wider international market and learn the quality standards expected by global players. For example, Indonesian game publishers who collaborate with platforms such as Steam, Google Play, and the App Store can quickly expand distribution of their games to various countries.

c. High Production Quality

To compete in the international market, production quality is a very important factor. Indonesian game publishers have begun to focus on improving the quality of the products they publish, both in terms of graphics, gameplay, and other features. In this way, Indonesian games are now able to compete with games from other countries that are more advanced in this industry, such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States.

d. Effective Marketing

Effective marketing is one of the main keys in introducing local games to international markets. Indonesian game publishers have used various marketing strategies, such as collaboration with global influencers, participation in international game exhibitions, and utilizing social media and streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. With the right marketing strategy, Indonesian games have succeeded in attracting the attention of international players and creating solid communities in various countries.

The Figures Behind the Success of Indonesian Game Publishers

Arief Widhiyasa - CEO of Agate International

Arief Widhiyasa is a very influential figure in the Indonesian gaming industry. As CEO of Agate, one of the leading gaming companies in Bandung, Arief has succeeded in making extraordinary achievements that have inspired many people. Agate itself was founded in 2009 when Arief was still a student who had big dreams, even though he only relied on limited resources.

By applying the ATM method (observe, imitate, modify), Agate continues to develop even though it is faced with various challenges. In his career spanning more than eight years, Arief realized the great potential that Indonesia has, especially in terms of cultural richness. This rich and diverse cultural heritage is an inspiration for Agate in creating quality games that can be accepted in the international market. Arief also sees big opportunities outside the entertainment aspect by using games for educational and simulation purposes. With continued dedication and innovation, Arief has succeeded in bringing Agate to success on the global stage.

Anton Soeharyo - CEO of Touchten Games

Anton Soeharyo, CEO of Touchten, is one of the entrepreneurs who has achieved great success in the world of gaming. The story begins with a gift of US$ 1,000 given by his father, Rudy Haryo. With these funds, Anton bought an Apple laptop and software, which later became the foundation of his career in the gaming industry.

A graduate of Waseda University in Tokyo, Anton started his career by developing the game Sushi Chain, which was downloaded more than 3 million times by players from all over the world. It didn't just stop there. Together with his younger brother, Rokimas Soeharyo, and his cousin, Dede Indrapurna, Anton also created Infinite Sky, a game that was ranked in the "Top 10" on the iOS App Store in 43 countries.

They continue to release various other popular games such as Ramen Chain, Cute Kill, Amazing Cupid, and Teka Teki Saku. Apart from that, Anton also collaborated with the Dagelan humor account in developing the Dagelan Smart and Dagelan Cermat games. In 2015, Touchten teamed up with 9GAG to release the game Redhead Redemption, expanding their international market reach.

Rachmad Imron - CEO of Digital Happiness

Rachmad Imron is the founder and CEO of Digital Happiness, one of the leading gaming companies from Bandung. Founded in 2013 with Vadi Vanadi, Sukmadi, and Dwi Arif Irawan, Digital Happiness is the first game developer from Indonesia to receive international capital support.

Their debut project, DreadOut, achieved huge popularity globally with over 1 million downloads. Rachmad has a vision to present elements of Indonesian culture in the games they create, especially with a focus on the horror genre. DreadOut tells the story of local ghosts that provide a unique and authentic gaming experience.

Thanks to capital support that exceeds the initial target of US$ 29,000, Digital Happiness continues to develop the DreadOut IP. With a commitment to raising Indonesia's name as a producer of quality games, Rachmad and his team have succeeded in showing that local creativity and innovation can attract the attention of the global market.

The success of Indonesian game publishers in the international market is proof that the local games industry has great potential to compete on the global stage. With creativity, innovation, and the right marketing strategy, Indonesian game publishers are able to bring local games to the international stage. Even though challenges remain, opportunities to continue to develop and achieve success in the global market are very open. With a focus on improving quality, global cooperation, and adapting to international markets, the future of Indonesian game publishers in the international market looks very bright.

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