Top 7 Southeast Asia Game Publishers Redefining the Industry
The gaming industry in Asia — particularly Southeast Asia — has made great strides as a hub of innovation, creativity, and technological improvements in mobile game development. This resulted in a significant increase of game development across the region due to fast internet penetration, which captures the growing youth demographic, coupled with high mobile handset accessibility.
This has created broader opportunities for both local and international players to invest larger interest and vision into the future of the gaming industry. So, to make things easier and clearer for you, in this article — we list down the top 7 Southeast Asian Game Publishers that have arguably contributed a lot to how digital gaming is seen now.
1. Passion Republic Games
Based in Malaysia, Passion Republic is a Southeast Asian game publisher best known for its work developing AAA content and world-class art & animation across some of the largest game franchises worldwide. Founded in 2009, Passion Republic Games is a place with major titles like Uncharted, Gears of War, and Dark Souls. As a result, the studio has gone from offering art outsourcing services to working on its own game, GigaBash. GigaBash — 2022 GigaBash is a multiplayer brawler, and although relatively unknown at this time, it looks like a blast based on the limited gameplay we've seen. The game has also received awards such as Best Southeast Asian Game at Level Up KL 2022. In the coming years with both art and game development in our sights, Passion Republic Games will only grow as a remarkable Southeast Asian game publisher to look out for.
Read also: Indonesian Game Publishers: What They Offer and Why You Should Care
2. Sky Mavis
A rising Southeast Asian game publisher making waves globally is Vietnam-based Sky Mavis. Founded in 2018, Sky Mavis is the creator of Axie Infinity, a decentralized game where players can earn cryptocurrency by playing. Millions of players from around the world have joined and opened up a new chapter of blockchain-based gaming. Axie Infinity has won numerous awards, including the 2021 Game Awards where it was named Blockchain Game of the Year. The appeal of Sky Mavis can also be attributed to the impressive VC money it has secured, funds that cannot currently be matched by many other Southeast Asian game publishers attempting to define the gaming frontier with blockchain and NFT technologies.
3. Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Pte. Ltd.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Pte Ltd. is also a big name in the global gaming industry. Ltd., the Southeast Asian subsidiary of Bandai Namco Entertainment, a Japanese video game development company. Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia is well-known as one of the best Southeast Asian game publishers, headquartered in Singapore with a whole bunch of other exciting things to look forward to! Doing so has seen the likes of Japan Game Awards paying homage to this notable company for its positive impact on gaming. Bandai Namco has long been one of the most dedicated publishers in providing gamers in Southeast Asia with top-quality content and it remains so today as it brings global franchises to local shores.
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4. Asphere Innovations
Asphere Innovations, a Southeast Asian game publisher located in Thailand, has made notable progress in the gaming industry. Previously known as True Digital Plus, Asphere Innovations specializes in publishing both online and mobile games. The company is responsible for some of Thailand's most beloved games, such as Ragnarok Online and Free Fire.
Asphere Innovations has been instrumental in nurturing the gaming community in Southeast Asia by hosting tournaments and events that actively involve players. With a dedication to providing captivating content and ensuring smooth gaming experiences, Asphere Innovations is a key player in advancing online and mobile gaming in the region.
5. Garena
Garena is a prominent game publisher in Southeast Asia and has made a notable mark on the global gaming scene. Established in Singapore in 2009, Garena has been behind some of the most beloved online games in the region, such as Free Fire, League of Legends, and Call of Duty Mobile.
Free Fire stands out as a remarkable success, boasting over 1 billion downloads on the Google Play Store. The game has garnered several accolades, including Best Mobile Game at the 2019 Esports Awards. Garena's achievements as a Southeast Asian game publisher stem from its ability to meet the distinct tastes of local gamers while also gaining international acclaim.
Read also: 10 Best Gaming Companies in Asia
6. Anino Inc.
Anino Inc., based in the Philippines, is one of the top Southeast Asian game publishers and is known for being the country's first game development studio. Since its founding in 2002, Anino has developed a variety of games, from casual mobile experiences to more complex PC titles. The studio has won several awards, including the Best Game of the Year at the Philippine Game Awards for Nightfall: Escape.
Anino’s ability to adjust to changing industry trends, particularly in mobile and casual gaming, has allowed it to remain a top game publisher in Southeast Asia. The studio’s commitment to quality game development and its focus on both local and international markets have been key factors in its success in the gaming industry.
7. IGG Singapore Pte. Ltd.
IGG Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of the global gaming company IGG, stands out as a leading Southeast Asian game publisher, particularly known for its mobile strategy games. Established in 2006, IGG has launched some of the most popular mobile games, such as Lords Mobile and Castle Clash, which have garnered millions of downloads around the globe.
The company has received numerous accolades, including the Google Play Best of 2018 award for Lords Mobile. With a commitment to creating engaging and competitive mobile games, IGG Singapore continues to significantly influence the mobile gaming scene in Southeast Asia and beyond. In a Nutshell The Southeast Asian game publisher landscape is filled with creativity and innovation, with leading companies like Passion Republic Games, Sky Mavis, and Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia at the forefront. These publishers are not only transforming the local gaming industry but are also making waves internationally.
Through cutting-edge blockchain technology, award-winning mobile games, and strong community engagement, they are expanding the horizons of gaming.
For businesses aiming to adapt their games to Southeast Asia’s varied audience, Digital-Trans Asia offers exceptional localization services to help you thrive in this dynamic market. Reach out to us today to make sure your game connects with local players and flourishes in the Southeast Asian gaming landscape.