MATRADE Promotes Malaysian Gaming Companies at Tokyo Game Show
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021, KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will continue to intensify efforts to push exports of Malaysian games and creative contents by bringing Malaysian gaming industry players to the Asia’s largest games trade show, Tokyo Game Show 2021. The show will take place at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan from 30 September to 3 October 2021.
Despite the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the global gaming market is expected to remain resilient and continue to thrive, with many people globally are working from homes and looking for video games as a form of entertainment. Online gaming became the most popular activity during the pandemic and helped to boost revenues for many companies in the gaming industry. Attributed by a growing interest, increasing usage of smartphones, consoles and cloud penetration, the global gaming market shows high potential growth in the future.
“Malaysia’s participation will take place in a hybrid format with both online and offline promotions whereby 5 Malaysian game developers and animation studios will promote their offerings and expertise in creative content, game development and publishing, animation outsourcing production as well as creative IP development. Among the Malaysian games to be featured in the event are Re: Legend, Police Sentri, ToGather: Island, Battle of the Rim and Itenoâ€, said Mr. Naim Abdul Rahman, Director of E&E, ICT, Machinery & Equipment Section, MATRADE.
“Japan is known as a hub for gaming market in Asia. It is one of the largest gaming markets in the world, with size of US$20.6 billion. Thus, it is a very important frontier for Malaysian gaming and creative content related products and services companies to showcase their capabilities at TGS 2021. Demand for games in Japan is driven primarily by presence of over 70 million gamers including online gamers. Japanese people also spend on average of almost 7 hours per week to play games, considered high among other Asian gamers. Our games are expected to be well received by the Japanese gamers, publishers, developers, media and influencers due to the quality content and capabilities in games art, animation, co-development and IP commercialisation that Malaysian companies could offerâ€, added Naim.
MATRADE’s Trade Commissioner in Tokyo, Mr. Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar, said that TGS is an iconic show and major games exhibition in Japan and Asia. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the show since its inception in 1996. Adapting to the new norm amid the ongoing pandemic challenge, TGS makes a debut into a hybrid event, comprising an ‘Online’ participation which represents a virtual exhibition, online business matching, online webinars as well as online play trial, and an ‘Offline’ participation which offers a physical venue for industry players and local visitors to experience new games through video streaming studios and trial play at the exhibition hall.
A total of 372 exhibitors will be participating both online and offline including Malaysian companies. This year’s participation in TGS also includes major players such as Microsoft, Square Enix, Konami, BANDAI NAMCO, CAPCOM, SEGA / ATLUS and others.
Japan remains as Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner with total trade amounting around USD30 billion annually. For the period of January-June 2021, total trade with Japan grew by 22.1% to USD18.04 billion.
