Amanda Siddharta
Research expert covering Malaysia
Gaming market in Malaysia - statistics & facts
Whether it’s being immersed in the fantasy world of World of Warcraft or casually solving a level on Candy Crush, games are the favorite pastime of an estimated ten million people in Malaysia, as of 2023. With a substantial number of digitally savvy consumers who have access to either mobile, PC, or console, the gaming market recorded a revenue of approximately 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in the same year. Malaysia is the fourth largest gaming market in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile in the console market, Sony is still leading the market share among gaming console producers in Malaysia with its PlayStation. The majority of gamers surveyed in Malaysia in 2023 also stated that PlayStation was their preferred gaming console. Nevertheless, consoles required consumers to purchase a designated device to play games, whereas mobile games are easily accessible through app stores on their smartphones or tablets. Due to increased competition from different gaming segments and platforms, the console market was forecast to generate less revenue in the coming years.
Given the potential of eSports’ contribution to the economy, the Malaysian government has allocated around 30 million Malaysian ringgit in 2024 to develop the national eSports industry. The Malaysian Ministry of Sports and Youth stated that they would host local competitions and develop local talents with the allocated budget, as well as attracting foreign eSports industry players to invest in Malaysia.
With mobile gaming proving to be a growing and lucrative segment, as well as investments in eSports by the government, the gaming industry in Malaysia could potentially make more contributions to advance Malaysia’s digital economy.
Gaming trends in Malaysia
Mobile or smartphone was the preferred gaming device for the majority of Malaysian consumers to play games, according to a 2023 study. This could be attributed to the penetration rate of smartphones in Malaysia, as well as ready access to mobile networks. More than 97 percent of the population in Malaysia already had 4G mobile coverage, while nearly half of the population had access to the 5G network. In Malaysia, mobile games generated approximately 284 million U.S. dollars in revenue, making it one the most popular gaming segments in the market.Meanwhile in the console market, Sony is still leading the market share among gaming console producers in Malaysia with its PlayStation. The majority of gamers surveyed in Malaysia in 2023 also stated that PlayStation was their preferred gaming console. Nevertheless, consoles required consumers to purchase a designated device to play games, whereas mobile games are easily accessible through app stores on their smartphones or tablets. Due to increased competition from different gaming segments and platforms, the console market was forecast to generate less revenue in the coming years.
The rise of the of eSports heroes
Since the 2010s, competitive gaming through electronic sports or eSports is no longer seen as merely a nerdy hobby but as a lucrative industry. As of 2023, there were 358 active Malaysian eSports players. Those who have been successful in winning international eSports tournaments, like Malaysian gamer xNova, managed to accumulate more than two million U.S. dollars in prize money.Given the potential of eSports’ contribution to the economy, the Malaysian government has allocated around 30 million Malaysian ringgit in 2024 to develop the national eSports industry. The Malaysian Ministry of Sports and Youth stated that they would host local competitions and develop local talents with the allocated budget, as well as attracting foreign eSports industry players to invest in Malaysia.
With mobile gaming proving to be a growing and lucrative segment, as well as investments in eSports by the government, the gaming industry in Malaysia could potentially make more contributions to advance Malaysia’s digital economy.
