Malaysia’s game development industry has been steadily growing over the years, and on the occasion of Malaysia’s 67th Independence Day, it’s a great time to shine a spotlight on the top game development studios in the country. These studios have been instrumental in putting Malaysia on the global map in the gaming industry, and their creative work continues to raise the bar for game development in Southeast Asia.

In this article, we will explore some of the top game development studios in Malaysia, shedding light on their contributions to the gaming landscape and the unique flavour they bring to the industry.

Streamline Studios

Established in: 2001
Located in: Malaysia, Colombia, Japan, United States

Streamline Studios, hailed as one of the biggest indie game developers in Southeast Asia, has experienced tremendous growth, expanding its team in Malaysia from just 7 members to an impressive 300. This video game and Metaverse development company boasts a portfolio of over 200 games, including popular titles like Silent Hill: Ascension, Stellar Blade, Cyberpunk 2077, and Street Fighter 6.

What’s more, they’ve not only worked on these renowned games but have also developed their own titles such as Hoopworld, Axon Runners, Nightstream, and Bake ‘n Switch, solidifying their standing as a major player in the gaming industry. While they currently have fallen under hard times as of late, we should not discount their past contributions and magnanimous work as a support studio during their heyday.

Lemon Sky

Established in: 2006
Located in: Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Lemon Sky Studios, a CG production company based in Malaysia, is renowned for its expertise in creating high-quality art and CGI animation. Acquired by Australian publisher iCandy Interactive, the studio is set to venture into developing more Metaverse games.

In the span of 13 years since its inception, Lemon Sky Studios has cultivated partnerships with industry giants like Ubisoft, Square Enix, Riot Games, Naughty Dog, SEGA, Capcom, and PlayStation Studios. The company has played a pivotal role in crafting immersive worlds, iconic characters, and captivating creatures for numerous video game projects. Noteworthy contributions include the creation of content for popular titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, The Last of Us: Part 1, EA’s Wild Hearts, and Hi-Fi Rush.

Lemon Sky’s creative expertise also extends to animated shows and movies, evident in productions such as Ejen Ali: The Movie, Saint Seiya – Knights of the Zodiac series, and Pokémon: Path to the Peak. With such an impressive portfolio, it’s evident that Lemon Sky Studios is poised to continue shaping the future of digital entertainment.

Ammobox Studios

Established in: 2008
Located in: Damansara, Selangor

Ammobox Studios, an independent game developer that stands out in the industry. Specializing in top-notch PC and console games, game assets creation, tech consulting, and providing end-to-end game development solutions, the studio is driven by a team of dedicated and talented individuals. From initial concept to final execution, their projects are characterized by a spirit of originality and a drive for excellence. What truly sets Ammobox Studios apart is their commitment to being at the forefront of the industry. In a landscape that is constantly evolving, they recognize the importance of keeping up with the latest technologies and trends.

One of their standout creations is the thrilling strategic action shooter, Eximius: Seize the Frontline. Launched in 2021, this game delivers competitive 5v5 team battles in a post-apocalyptic urban setting. It’s a must-try for fans of Nuclear Dawn and FPS/RTS hybrid games or anyone seeking an adrenaline-pumping experience. You can check out the game on Steam.

Metronomik

Established in: 2017
Located in: Bangsar South City, Kuala Lumpur

Metronomik, a game development company based in Malaysia, is making waves in the gaming industry under the leadership of Wan Hazmer, the former lead game designer of Square Enix, and Daim Dziauddin, the former concept artist of Street Fighter V. Their debut release, No Straight Roads, has garnered widespread acclaim since its launch in 2020.

No Straight Roads attracted players with its innovative combination of rhythm-based combat, striking visuals, and an exceptional soundtrack. The game’s global success led to its availability in 13 different languages and expansion to major platforms such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. What sets No Straight Roads apart is its incorporation of Malaysian elements, ranging from iconic locations like kopitiams and mamak stalls to traditional art forms like dikir barat and wayang kulit.

Metronomik’s core philosophy revolves around infusing games with Malaysia’s rich cultural identity while ensuring global appeal. By featuring Malaysian voice actors and providing a multilingual gaming experience, the studio has successfully showcased the country’s diverse heritage on an international platform. As a result, Metronomik has positioned itself as one of the leading game development studios in Malaysia.

Virtuos

Established in: 2004
Located in: North America, Europe, China, and APAC

Since its inception in 2004, Virtuos has left its mark on the global gaming industry. With over two decades of experience, the company has expanded its reach to Malaysia with the establishment of Virtuos Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Specializing in game development and art production for AAA consoles, PC, and mobile games, Virtuos is renowned for its expertise in full co-development and co-engineering services. From complete level design to breathing new life into classic titles through remakes and adaptations for the latest platforms, the company excels in creating immersive gameplay experiences.

Virtuos has contributed to the development of popular games such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Call of Duty: Warzone, Marvel’s Avengers, Dark Souls Remastered, and Horizon Zero Dawn. Beyond game development, Virtuos also undertakes a variety of exciting art projects, collaborating with industry giants such as Guerrilla Games, Capcom, and Riot Games. Its impressive portfolio also includes contributions to Halo Infinite and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. With its continued success and dedication to innovation, Virtuos remains a key player in the gaming and art production industry.

Bonus Entry

MDEC: Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation

Established in: 1996
Located in: Cyberjaya

While not quite a game studio, this government body is integral to game studios all over Malaysia. Hence this bonus entry.

The vibrant digital economy in Malaysia, spearheaded by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia. For over two decades, MDEC has been dedicated to propelling the nation’s digital landscape forward. Their focus includes driving investments, cultivating local tech champions, fostering digital innovation ecosystems, and promoting digital inclusivity.

MDEC aims to turbocharge Malaysia’s digital ecosystem across nine key sectors, supported by ten technology enablers. These sectors encompass digital agriculture, digital services, digital cities, digital health, digital finance, digital trade, digital content, digital tourism, and the Islamic digital economy.

In the realm of game development, MDEC falls under the digital content sector, offering an array of programs, initiatives, and grants to bolster Malaysia’s gaming industry. Notably, Level Up KL stands out as a premier annual Southeast Asia Game Developers Conference, organized by MDEC, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect, learn, and exchange insights. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Level Up’s inception.

Moving on, the Digital Content Grant (DCG) has been tailored to empower local creative content companies in their endeavors to develop, produce, and market digital content spanning animation, digital games, digital comics, and creative technology content. The grants are divided into four categories: The Mini Project Grant, The Development Grant, The Production Grant, and The Marketing and Commercialization Grant. Notably, companies such as 7th Beat Games for Rhythm Doctor and Ammobox Studios for Eximius: Seize the Frontline have been recipients of these grants.

These initiatives are just a glimpse of the support extended by this government agency. With MDEC championing local talent and startup companies, Malaysia is poised to emerge as a prominent digital hub in Southeast Asia.

In celebration of Malaysia Independence Day, explore some of the most thrilling games made in Malaysia! Have you heard of any of these Malaysian studios? Let us know by commenting on our social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.