Depok-The gaming industry is a rapidly growing subsector of the creative economy in Indonesia. Data from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy shows that the Indonesian gaming market has exceeded US$2 billion annually in recent years, with the number of players continuing to increase along with internet penetration and mobile device usage. However, more than 90% of the Indonesian gaming industry’s revenue still comes from foreign products, so the industry’s foreign exchange potential has not been optimally utilized by local developers. In response to this phenomenon, the Master of Applied Creative Industries study program, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), held an online guest lecture entitled “The Role of the Gaming Industry in Increasing State Foreign Exchange: Opportunities and Challenges” on April 22, 2026.
This guest lecture featured Shafiq Husein, President of the Indonesian Game Association, who highlighted the strategic role of the gaming industry in increasing the country’s foreign exchange. In his presentation, he explained that this contribution comes from various economic channels, including the export of game products to the global market, production collaborations with international studios, e-sports, foreign investment, and monetization of digital content based on global platforms. Shafiq said, “When Indonesian developers are able to penetrate the global market through platforms such as Steam, the App Store, and Google Play, then every transaction from foreign users becomes part of digital exports that contribute directly to the country’s foreign exchange. In addition, co-development collaborations with international studios also open up income opportunities through export-based creative services.”
(Photo: Discussion session during a guest lecture with Shafiq Husein)
Shafiq further explained that the gaming industry’s contribution is also strengthened by supporting ecosystems, such as e-sports and digital content creators. Indonesian e-sports athletes competing internationally can generate income through tournament prizes and global sponsorships, while content creators promoting local games have the potential to earn revenue in the international market through advertising, donations, and brand partnerships.
He also emphasized the importance of developing local intellectual property (IP) as a long-term asset in the gaming industry. According to him, successful games not only generate revenue from their core products but also open up opportunities for development into various derivative products such as films, comics, merchandise, and global licenses that contribute to foreign exchange through royalties. “However, to maximize this potential, Indonesia still needs to strengthen its industrial ecosystem, particularly in terms of access to funding, talent development, and regulatory support that favors local industry players. Collaboration between the government, academia, and industry is key to boosting the competitiveness of Indonesian games in the global market,” Shafiq added.
The Head of the Creative Industries Applied Master’s Program, Dr. Dewi Kartika Sari, S.E., M.S.Ak., CA, stated that this activity is an important part of strengthening the relationship between academia and industry. “Through this guest lecture, students gain direct insight from industry practitioners regarding real-world opportunities and challenges in the gaming sector. Therefore, this is expected to encourage the development of innovative strategies and increase students’ readiness to face the dynamics of the global creative industry,” said Ika.
This guest lecture, integrated with the Selected Chapters on Creative Industries course, is expected to strengthen students’ understanding of the dynamics and development of the creative industry. The gaming industry is expected to serve not only as an entertainment sector but also as a driving force for the digital economy and a significant contributor to Indonesia’s foreign exchange earnings.
