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View all search resultsGovernment to expand gaming beyond developers to tap global demand
In an exclusive interview with The Jakarta Post, Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar highlights a new focus on pushing underdeveloped roles, such as community management and QC testing, to grow the local gaming industry for global appeal.
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Opening opportunities: Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar speaks to ‘The Jakarta Post’ during an exclusive interview on May 7, 2026, at the ministry in Autograph Tower on Jl. Thamrin in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. (JP/Iqro Rinaldi)
T
he government is looking to widen its approach to the gaming industry beyond developers and esports athletes to include supporting roles that cater to global demand, which could create opportunities for both businesses and creative talent.
“Now, specifically in the game industry in the nation, we have always focused on gaming development, and that’s it. And we always say that we don’t have the investments, the money. We don’t have support. But the gaming industry is more than just game development,” Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar told The Jakarta Post in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Irene, who previously founded a game company and a venture capital firm focused on the gaming industry, said the local industry still focused too narrowly on coding and development.
The broader, national gaming ecosystem had yet to commercialize, she said, while marketing and other supporting roles, ranging from community management and live streaming operations to quality control testing and data analytics, remained underdeveloped.
“I’ll provoke not only the game industry but also entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are always looking for opportunities, and this is an opportunity right in front of our eyes,” Irene said. “You just have to find the space in the industry.”
The deputy minister noted that support services such as QC testing had become sizeable businesses in regional peers like Vietnam and Thailand, with some companies employing hundreds of workers and serving global markets.
“There are companies that focus solely on QC checks, not only for games but also for applications. The market is huge,” Irene said, adding that various stakeholders, including educational institutions, could help by encouraging students to fill these roles.
