20 years ago, video game developers and professional gamers are the most likely unheard professions in the past. Nowadays, video game industry is growing bigger than any mainstream entertainment including films, books, music and others.

According to Newzoo, almost 14 million Malaysians are gamers and half of them are willing to spend ringgits on video games that ranked Malaysia number 21 in the international game market list, ahead of Netherlands and Poland with game revenue of USD587 million (RM2.4 billion). Our gamers’ spending power places our country in top 3 in Southeast Asia countries in terms of game revenue.

These figures help to catapult our local video game industry and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. In fact, the growth is moving at an incredible pace that provides ample opportunities for more video game related careers. The vibrant exports from our local video game studios, which amounted to RM684.3 million is a good indication to many people that video game industry has a bright future in Malaysia and Southeast Asia as well.

To amplify Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s video game industry to the next level, here’s everything you need to know about Level Up KL 2018!

What is Level Up KL 2018?

Level Up KL 2018 is the Southeast Asia’s leading video game industry event for game developers to share, interact and learn knowledge together with local and international key players in video game industry all under one roof. This is the part of an initiative from Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to help develop the digital content and creative tech industry in Malaysia.

During the media briefing, Mohan Low from MDEC told us that Level Up KL 2018 is eager to house more than 9000 attendees. Moreover, Wan Hazmer from Metronomik and Jeremy Choo from Ammobox Studio shared their heartfelt stories in becoming video game creators and how Level Up KL 2018 could be a meaningful step forward to boost gaming industry in Malaysia and Southeast Asia region.

With its theme ‘Beyond Entertainment’, Level Up KL 2018 wants to focus on the main idea that video games is not just revolutionizing entertainment. Instead, video games plays a role in driving efficiency, innovation and disrupting other sectors of the economy.

What are the activities for Level Up KL 2018?

Back for its fourth year, Level Up KL will feature 10 programs from learning from the best tricks in game development in Masterclass Workshops to networking with game publishers and producers from top game companies in Business Connection Programme. Here are all of the activities along with its dates:

1. Southeast Asia Game Jam (27 – 28 October)
2. Global Top Round (27 – 28 October)
3. Masterclass Workshops (27 – 29 October)
4. Unity @ KL (28 October)
5. Business Connection Programme (29 October)
6. LEVEL UP KL 2018 Conference (30 – 31 October)
7. LEVEL UP KL 2018 Exhibition & Southeast Asia showcase (30 – 31 October)
8. Partner Tracks & Workshop (30 – 31 October)
9. Networking Night (30 October)
10. Southeast Asia Game Awards (31 October)

Who is this event for?

This event hopes to assemble industry from game developers, publishers, start-ups, programmers, artists, producers, game designers, decision-makers, investors, funders, students and including YOU, video game lovers to help strengthen the game ecosystem.

This year’s Level Up KL will invite 60 speakers from all over the world to share their experience and industry insights to all the attendees. Among them is Sony’s visual art director Michael Mumbauer, Hutch Games’ UI designer Anisa Sanusi, Microsoft’s senior external partner relations director Sam Carlisle and many more.

Moreover, game developers can meet with over 250 representatives from Google, Apple, Tencent, Larian, 505 Games and other game companies for partnerships and business opportunities.

SEA Game Jam will be making its return for participants to share their ideas and suggestions of their own games. Meanwhile, SEA Game Awards is also a part of the celebration for Southeast Asian game IPs with over 100 games submission from Indonesia, the Phillippines, Vietnam and more.

When is this event taking place?

Level UP KL 2018 will take place for five days from 27 October to 31 October. The locations are varied according to the activities you want to join.

Those who wish to attend the exhibition can proceed to Connexion Convention Centre & Exhibition Centre, Bangsar South. For other activities, you can go to several locations surrounding Bangsar South, which include Level Up Inc. in Komune and ASEAN Data Analytics Exchange (ADAX).

If you want to learn, share and connect between game developers, studios, industry and stakeholders, visit their official website to find out  about how to purchase a ticket and other conference details.