SINGAPORE, 18 November – The development of the esports industry has grown rapidly over the last few years. According to the Global Games Market Report 2021, Indonesia occupies the position of 17 largest gaming markets. This data is reinforced in the Indonesia Esports Industry Outlook 2021, according to EVOS Esports (one of the largest esports teams in Indonesia) where the market alone has a total of 274.5 million gamers . Across Southeast Asia, Indonesia contributes up to 43% of the total gaming population and was the highest revenue contributor; USD 2.08 billion or around Rp 30 trillion in the last year.

The high number of gamers and revenue streams is an indication that the esports industry has considerable potential in Indonesia. However, some obstacles are faced, such as the need for Internet access and a mobile phone to enter into the ecosystem, or a entry level device to start gaming. Most mobile gaming players heavily rely on a smartphone to play, as its seen as the first barrier to enjoying and learning more about games. 

MOONTON Games has been contributing to the Indonesian gaming and digital industry since the launch of its top mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). The international organisation has taken on new responsibilities to reduce digital gap in rural areas, to enable more people to leverage on the convenience and growth digital economy, and open opportunities for young esports athletes. MOONTON Games has therefore collaborated with Garudaku Akademy, under the MOONTON Games Program – to launch Fostering The Legends. 

"There are hundreds of students from seven schools in East Java, who will be beneficiaries under the MOONTON Cares and Garudaku Akademi joint program. We will facilitate the academy’s esports training program which includes a variety of programs for students interested in entering the esports industry. Not just as an esports athlete, other opportunities are referees, casters, managers, even influencers or content creators,” stated Azwin Nugraha, Public Relations & Communications Manager of MOONTON Games Indonesia during the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MOONTON Games and Garudaku Academy in Malang, East Java.

(L-R: Head of Academy Program Garudaku Academy Robertus Aditya Pratomo Putro, Public Relations & Communications Manager Moonton Indonesia)

In the MOU between MOONTON Games and Garudaku Academy, it was also revealed that MOONTON Games will enhance digital access by donating smartphones to schools. "The hope is that students can also directly practice the use of smartphones and not just simply learning and theorizing about it, so that it can be directly implemented in the real world, especially education," Azwin added. 

Garudaku Academy is an esports academy that stands under the Indonesian Esports Executive Board to nurture esports talents through education. Garudaku Academy is a strategic program that will address various challenges related to the development of an esports ecosystem of achievement, character, and integrity. 

"Carrying the concept of coaching, learning and training that includes technical and non-technical skills or soft skills, Garudaku Esports Academy involves academics and practitioners in the fields of esports, psychology, public speaking, personal branding, health and nutrition, physical fitness, and law as teachers and compilers of syllabus and learning and training materials. "said Robertus Aditya Pratomo Putro, Head of Garudaku Esports Academy Program. 

Since 2018, MOONTON Games Games has produced hundreds of esports athletes who have competed under the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Indonesia and MLBB Development League (MDL) Indonesia. 

Hundreds of professional esports players in Indonesia are not only the backbone of their household contribution, but carry the reputation and representation of the nation, to an international mobile esports stage. For the record, Indonesia has brought home silver medals at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines and the 2020 SEA Games in Vietnam. The MLBB team from Indonesia, EVOS Esports, also won the title of the best MLBB team in the world after winning the M1 World Championship held in Malaysia three years ago. 

In January 2023, two of the best MLBB teams from Indonesia will compete to become the best in the M4 World Championship on 1 to 15 January. Two Indonesian teams, RRQ Hoshi and ONIC Esports, will bear the flag of Indonesia.