Fueled by a passionate gaming community and a rapidly expanding industry, Indonesia is quickly emerging as a global powerhouse in mobile esports.
The mobile esports scene in Indonesia has been surging to unprecedented heights over the past few years. With staggering viewership numbers, massive player engagement, and strong government backing, Indonesia is poised to lead the next era of mobile esports.
As the country continues to make a name for itself by hosting local, regional, and even international tournaments, it’s worth looking into how Indonesia arrived at where it stands today and what’s in store for its future.
Indonesia’s Thriving Market Is Spearheading Southeast Asia’s Esports Revolution
Indonesia’s mobile gaming market is expanding at an extraordinary rate. According to a Newzoo report, 142 million Indonesians play games on mobile devices, accounting for a staggering 50% of the total population. This dwarfs the 9.58 million PC players and 5.68 million console players, further proving that mobile is the dominant platform in the country.
In terms of revenue, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has also cemented its lead. Over the past 90 days, the game has generated double the revenue compared to its closest competitor, Garena Free Fire. Sensor Tower reports that MLBB has the highest Average Monthly Active Users in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia contributing significantly to its USD $21 million revenue in the region.
Indonesia is a key player in the wider Southeast Asian gaming industry, which is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the foreseeable future. Per Niko Partners, the region recorded 277.2 million gamers in 2023, with projections indicating that this number will rise to 285.9 million in 2024 and to 331.8 million by 2028. The total PC and mobile game revenue in SEA is set to reach USD $6.5 billion by 2025. This data further solidifies the region’s status as an esports powerhouse.
In terms of esports engagement, 55% of SEA gamers either play, watch, or compete in esports tournaments. The time spent gaming has also increased by 53.2% in 2024 compared to 2023, with Indonesia playing a significant role in this growth.
Snapdragon Pro Series in MLBB Reigns Supreme With Record-Breaking Viewership
Season 6’s Snapdragon Pro Series Qualifier for MLBB in the Asia-Pacific region shattered records by becoming the most-watched qualifier in esports history. The Open Finals for the season attracted over 830,000 peak concurrent viewers and amassed a jaw-dropping 6 million hours watched, according to ESL FACEIT Group.
This milestone places Indonesia at the center of the global mobile esports stage, outperforming major international events such as IEM Cologne 2023, FNCS 2023 Global Championship, and the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021 Finals.
This achievement not only underscores the dominance of MLBB in the Southeast Asian market but also reinforces Indonesia’s position as the beating heart of mobile gaming. The game boasts 35 million monthly active users in the country and consistently ranks as the top-grossing title in the region.
Government Support Fuels the Industry’s Growth
The Indonesian government has issued support for the gaming industry’s potential. The newly issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 19 of 2024 concerning Accelerating the Development of the National Game Industry aims to accelerate the development of the national gaming industry through several key initiatives:
- Easing of entry requirements for skilled foreign professionals to work and develop games in Indonesia.
- Raising USD $40 million annually in private funding to support game development projects.
- Enhancing digital infrastructure by ensuring better internet access and the establishment of technology hubs.
- Driving investment and innovation to make Indonesia a prime destination for game development and esports expansion.
With these regulatory measures in place, Indonesia is fostering its local esports ecosystem and attracting international talent to the country’s booming gaming market.
A Golden Era for Indonesian Mobile Esports Lies Ahead
All this considered, it’s clear that Indonesia is entering a golden age for mobile esports. The country’s passionate gaming community, coupled with strategic investments, will continue to drive growth in both competitive gaming and game development.
The latest tournament to take place in Indonesia is the Snapdragon Pro Series Mobile Masters 2025. Held at the Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan in Jakarta between April 11 and 13, the world’s best MLBB teams will duke it out for this year’s championship title.
As MLBB and other games continue to dominate the esports scene and Indonesia solidifies its position as a mobile gaming superpower, one thing is clear: The future of esports may have a home in this Southeast Asian nation. For players, fans, and supporters of the industry, there has never been a better time to be part of Indonesia’s meteoric rise in the world of mobile gaming.
MobileMatters is in partnership with ESL FACEIT Group, the organizers behind the Snapdragon Pro Series.