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Games Newsletter · 21 October 2026

Bonfire Games Newsletter — 21 October 2026

Stories 5 Read about 4 minutes Editions English · 中文

A week of policy, trade-show and talent moves: Malaysia puts numbers on its games ambitions, Bangkok and Singapore become deal venues for Korean and Western studios, and Ubisoft's cuts free up experienced developers in Singapore.

In this issue
Image: MDEC via Malaysiakini Top story

Malaysia sets 2030 targets of US$2.2bn revenue and US$1.5bn exports for digital creative industries as LEVEL UP KL aims for US$29m in export deals

At LEVEL UP KL 2026 (Kuala Lumpur, 15 and 16 October), Deputy Digital Minister Wilson Ugak restated the Digital Creative Ecosystem Roadmap: about US$2.2 billion in revenue, US$1.5 billion in exports, US$1.5 billion in strategic investment and 10,000 high-value jobs by 2030. Organiser MDEC targeted 400 business meetings, about US$29 million in export opportunities and US$24.5 million in investment opportunities, and says about 100 of roughly 300 Malaysia Digital companies work in game development. Figures converted from ringgit at about RM4.08 per US$.

Why it matters Malaysia is pairing numeric targets with a deal-making venue and a push for Malaysian-owned IP, which gives studios across the region a clear counterpart for co-development, co-publishing and investment conversations.

Malaysiakini · 16 Oct 2026

Trade & deal-making

gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show adds Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and US pavilions, reaching 20 national pavilions and exhibitors from 29 countries

Organisers of gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show (Bangkok, 29 October to 1 November) confirmed four new national pavilions: Indonesia under its Ministry of Creative Economy, Japan under JETRO, Malaysia under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, and the United States via the US Embassy Bangkok. They join Austria, Germany, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain and host Thailand, bringing the total to 20 pavilions and a record 29 countries and regions of exhibitors, with delegations from 12 markets.

Why it matters Government-backed pavilions only appear where there is a business case, and several ASEAN and Asian trade bodies now share one Bangkok floor with Western publishers: a ready-made meeting point for Southeast Asian studios to line up co-publishing, funding and distribution partners in a single trip.

UnGeek · 15 Oct 2026

Image: UnGeek

Korea's KOCCA brings 17 content-tech companies, including AI-native game studios, to Singapore to court investors and SEA partners

The Korea Creative Content Agency has picked 17 companies for a Demo Day on 28 October at Guoco Midtown Network Hub during SWITCH week, followed by one-to-one investor and partner meetings on 29 October. The line-up spans AI-powered gaming, XR, original IP and edtech, and the companies are seeking investment, distribution, licensing and localization partners as they push into Southeast Asia.

Why it matters Korean studios are actively looking for Southeast Asian publishing, localization and capital partners, which puts regional operators with local distribution and payments know-how in a strong position to negotiate.

AsiaTechDaily · 19 Oct 2026

Image: AsiaTechDaily

Studios & talent

Ubisoft cuts 70 roles at its Singapore studio and proposes closing RedLynx, but keeps Singapore as part of its global production network

Ubisoft announced on 14 October that it has proposed closing Finnish studio RedLynx, with up to 52 jobs affected, and is cutting 70 positions at Ubisoft Singapore, best known for Skull and Bones. The company says the Singapore cuts align the studio with upcoming production needs and that it remains an important part of Ubisoft's global production organisation. The moves follow a wider cost-cutting restructure into six Creative Houses.

Why it matters Seventy experienced AAA developers entering Singapore's job market is a hiring opportunity for regional studios and publishers building co-development and live-ops teams, and Ubisoft's decision to keep the studio open confirms Singapore's role as a production hub.

GamesBeat · 14 Oct 2026

Image: GamesBeat

Live-ops & esports

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang marks its 10th anniversary with simultaneous events in 10 countries, from Surabaya to Manila, as MOONTON looks to the next decade

MOONTON Games ran celebrations for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in 10 countries across Asia, Europe and Latin America from 9 to 11 October, drawing tens of thousands of fans, including a festival in Surabaya, Indonesia. The publisher's management and development teams used the events to gather player feedback on gameplay and content, and the game's esports ecosystem has also reached the international stage in 2026 with the M8 World Championship heading to Turkey.

Why it matters A Southeast Asian hit now running coordinated community programmes on three continents shows how much commercial headroom remains for regional IP, from live-ops and sponsorship to local events and esports.

MOONTON · 16 Oct 2026

Image: MOONTON

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