MDEC, UOA Holdings sign MoU to set up Game Hub in Bangsar South

• MDEC, UOA Holdings sign MoU to set up Game Hub in Bangsar South
• They will collaborate towards building local games capacity and capability

THE hub will provide infrastructure and facilities to search, train and grow local talent

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and UOA Holdings Sdn Bhd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to cooperate in joint efforts to set up a Game Hub in Bangsar South with the objective of enhancing Malaysia’s game industry.

Under the terms of the MoU, UOA Holdings will provide the infrastructure for a gaming hub situated in Bangsar South, and jointly work with MDEC in promoting these facilities, while MDEC will facilitate the search for local talent and provide programmes to train and enhance their skills.

MDEC chief executive officer Yasmin Mahmood, applauded the collaboration: "Malaysia has an exceptional talent pool for the game industry, and the world is beginning to sit up and take notice. It is important that we continue to press forward in building a world-class ecosystem that enables our local talents to strive for excellence, putting us on the path to becoming the Game Hub for the region.

“The programmes and initiatives that we have – together with excellent infrastructure and facilities provided by UOA Holdings – will allow our local talents to come together to learn and grow their skills in a conducive, competitive environment.”

UOA Holdings welcomed the MoU saying: “We are proud to be partnering MDEC in building a Digital Malaysia. We understand that the backbone of a thriving nation is its people, and to provide an avenue to equip and grow human capital with the right skills and knowledge is vital.

“This MoU allows us to offer our expertise in achieving that - keeping pace with the changing landscape and adding value to what we do. We look forward to contributing to the nation’s digital transformation.”

Transforming Malaysia into a regional game hub

Mandated as the driver of the nation’s digital transformation into a high-income, knowledge-based digital economy, MDEC has outlined key strategies in positioning Malaysia as the preferred regional hub for games development and delivery.

These key strategies will build upon Malaysia’s existing digital content sector, which includes attracting anchor companies, increasing local games capacity & capability and raising global market access.

The growth of the gaming market in Malaysia is expected to grow 20% to RM868.70 million by the year 2017, and the South-East Asia region to grow 30% by 2018 - the fastest growth of any geographical region.

This year alone, the local gaming industry has demonstrated tremendous progress with several international game companies investing and collaborating with local players.

In July, Streamline Studios announced their collaboration with Square Enix for Final Fantasy XV, which will be released on Nov 29, 2016. Earlier in May, Passion Republic shared their experience working with Naughty Dog for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End game, a critically-acclaimed top-selling game worldwide. Separately in September, Bandai Namco Studios Inc officially announced the opening of its Kuala Lumpur studio to focus on the development of content for their customers in the world.

Just last week, LEVEL UP KL 2016, the premier South-East Asia gaming conference which took place in Kuala Lumpur, attracted over 500 participants ranging from game developers, investors, game publishers and technology providers, from both local and international games industry. Over 40 key industry players worldwide also took part in the five-day event to share knowledge, make connections and form business partnerships.

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