MOONTON Games today hosted a landmark press conference for its flagship Indonesian league, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia, unveiling a series of announcements that collectively mark a turning point in how Indonesia is approaching esports—not as entertainment alone, but as a serious engine for creative industry growth, national representation, and cultural export.
At the centre of the event was the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MOONTON Games and Tale X, supported by the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), formally designating MPL Indonesia as a "Creative Playground" for the nation.
MPL Indonesia as a "Creative Playground" to scale local IPs
The initiative is designed as an ecosystem that enables local creators to develop intellectual property (IP), integrate it into the league, and connect it directly with mass audiences. By embedding Indonesian IPs into one of the country's most-watched esports platforms, the collaboration creates a new pathway for creative works to scale, travel, and compete on the global stage, strengthening Indonesia's cultural identity through esports.
For the first time, six Indonesian-developed IPs will be introduced into the MPL Indonesia ecosystem under a structured institutional framework, bridging the gap between creative production and large-scale distribution.
"M7 beautifully demonstrated how traditional cultural performances can intertwine with the gaming world," said Irene Umar, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency. "This season, MPL has boldly declared, "This Is Indonesia." Therefore, I hope we can all continue to collaborate together. One of the concrete steps we are taking today is the official designation of MPL as a "Creative Playground" for Indonesia."
Joshua Budiman, Co-founder and Director of Tale X, added, "MPL Indonesia is not just a league. It is an ecosystem that connects gaming with our local creative economy. Through this collaboration, our local IPs are not only showcased but streamed to mass audiences across the world, creating real value across content, brands, and commercial partnerships."
A joint push to strengthen Indonesian esports
Alongside the MoU, the Pengurus Besar Esports Indonesia (PB ESI) announced the newly appointed Coach of Indonesia's national MLBB Esports team for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 and Asian Games 2026, marking the next phase in the country's international esports ambitions.
The appointment is supported by a joint commitment between PB ESI and MOONTON Games to strengthen Indonesia's national team programme, with a focus on structured preparation, performance development, and international competitiveness.
"Our goal is not just to participate, but to perform," said Glorya Famiela Ralahalo, National Teams Manager, PB ESI. "Together with MOONTON Games, we are building a system that supports our players with the right structure, preparation, and experience so that Indonesia can deliver strong results and represent the nation with pride on the world stage."
Expanding MPL Indonesia beyond competition
The press conference also confirmed that the MPL Indonesia Season 17 Playoffs will once again be held at the Jakarta International Velodrome, following multiple sold-out events with thousands of fans filling the venue each time.
The Velodrome has become a defining stage for MPL Indonesia, where thousands of fans gather to experience the league live. Its return signals not only continued fan demand, but also the league's ability to consistently deliver large-scale, stadium-level esports experiences. Tickets for the Playoffs will be available starting from Saturday, 2 May.
New on-ground activations will also be available during the Playoffs, with a focus on bringing fans closer to the action through live entertainment, community experiences, and immersive event programming. These developments reinforce MPL Indonesia's evolution into a platform that extends beyond competition, combining live entertainment, content, and community engagement to create a more immersive experience for fans.
"Over the past decade, MPL Indonesia has grown into more than a competition. It is a platform that connects millions of Indonesians," said Martinus H. Manurung, Head of Esports Business Development, MOONTON Indonesia. "Our role now is to ensure that this scale creates real impact, by supporting local creators, strengthening our national teams, and working with partners to position Indonesia as a leader in global esports."
For the latest news and updates on MPL Indonesia, please like and follow: YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Website.
