Sign up for the Daily Newsletter, sent exclusively to our premium subscribers. We break down the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community. Get the newsletter in your inbox everyday with a premium subscription.
Hello reader,
Computer classes in my primary school days were good for two things: getting an air-conditioned respite from the unrelenting Singapore heat and sneaking in some Flash game goodness when the teacher’s attention was focused elsewhere.
The kids of today probably get all the entertainment they want via their phones, so they may never know that same joy. Watching today’s premium video took me back to those days and also surprised me a little – I didn’t know that some of these games were produced so close to home, in Indonesia.
In many ways, I thought Toge Productions’ growth mirrored my own adolescence. Take a gander and see if that’s the case for you as well.
Today we look at:
- The trials of Indonesian game development
- The US$1 million seed round of a “metahuman influencer” startup
- Other newsy highlights such as the Indonesian government extending electric motorcycle disbursements beyond low-income individuals and the pre-tax profits of Bank Raya
Premium summary
Growing up (in the Indonesian gaming world) is hard to do
Image credit: Timmy Loen
The video games that dominate the headlines tend to be those that have a lot of money-making potential – the likes of League of Legends and Overwatch, for example. What makes these games so popular is their inherent competitive nature and how that can be easily translated into big, lucrative events with broadcasting and sponsorship income.
And yet, I find it’s the single-player games that strike the strongest chords with me. I’m not ashamed to say that I ugly-cried as the credits rolled on Persona 4, while VA-11 Hall-A was a vibe from start to finish.
I don’t really have a point to make here, other than that there’s room for all kinds of games, and they should all be supported. Toge Productions’ growth from offering simple Flash games to developing several premium PC titles of varying genres illustrates that, and it’s a story well worth following.
- True bootstrapping: With a lack of belief from parents and financial institutions alike, the members of the team had to fund its initial projects with their own savings.
- Heritage value: For the company, beyond just being fun, games are a means to educate people about the rich, diverse culture of Southeast Asia.
- An ecosystem play: Toge’s grander plans include helping nurture and build the Indonesian game developer community via grants and mentorships.
Read more: How this Indonesian game studio survived the death of flash games
Good idea getting the robots to do the vapid advertising
We’re headed to Bangalore next! Seize your chance to be part of our exclusive founders-only networking event
Quick bytes
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
