Indonesia Eyes Cross-Sector Gaming Partnerships to Drive Creative Economy

KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia is leveling up its creative economy by building cross-sector alliances with global game developers to enhance industry capacity and strengthen the nation's digital ecosystem.

The Ministry of Creative Economy is spearheading these efforts to position Indonesia as a global hub for game development.

Deputy Minister Irene Umar emphasized the role of strategic partnerships in creating a more inclusive and sustainable creative sector at a meeting with Riot Games in Jakarta on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

"Cross-sector collaboration is key to accelerating the growth of a resilient creative ecosystem—this is at the heart of our ministry's mission," Irene said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

She noted that game development should not stand alone, but instead connect deeply with other creative sub-sectors such as music, film, illustration, and local intellectual property (IP).

This interconnected approach, she argued, is central to realizing Indonesia's vision as "the new engine of growth" in the global creative economy, by boosting the game industry's competitiveness and creating high-quality jobs.

Riot Games Indonesia Country Manager Resha Adi Pradipta welcomed the collaboration opportunity, noting Indonesia's strong potential on the international stage.

"We see many ideas and possibilities for joint initiatives—especially ones that elevate local IP and create space for global-scale gaming events," he said. "Indonesia has what it takes to become a major host for international esports."

According to the Ministry, Indonesia's gaming industry is valued at approximately USD 2 billion, supported by a domestic player base of around 148 million. It ranks first in Southeast Asia, fourth in Asia, and 15th globally.

To capitalize on that momentum, the government plans to roll out a series of policy and infrastructure supports, including IP protection, production and marketing assistance, and regional hubs for game developers.

It also aims to open up creative revenue streams by helping developers monetize their assets, with financial backing facilitated through collaboration with Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK).

The initiative underscores a larger push to turn Indonesia's creative industries into a driver of national economic growth while unlocking new opportunities for young digital entrepreneurs. ***