Esports is a rapidly growing industry that has taken the world by storm. With matches streamed live online, esports is now available to anyone with an internet connection. Malaysia is no stranger to this phenomenon; in fact, it’s one of the most popular countries in Southeast Asia for esports. What’s more, the country is home to some of the best players in the world. So what does this mean for Malaysia? It means that esports is here to stay and is only going to get bigger and better. If you’re not already following esports closely, now may be the time to start. Here are some tips on how you can fit esports into your life and experience.
Table of Contents
Esports in Malaysia
Esports in Malaysia is booming and there are a number of activities that people can partake in to get involved. The main esport in Malaysia is Counter Strike: Global Offensive, which is usually played on PC. There are also tournaments for other games such as Dota 2, League of Legends, and Hearthstone. In February 2018, the Malaysian government announced a plan to become a global leader in esports with plans to host international tournaments and build an esports stadium.
The key players in esports in Malaysia are Astro Gaming (the company behind the country’s most popular esport), Pro Gaming Organization (PGO) – which was founded by current Malaysian CS:GO team Infamous -and MNC eSports. These companies organise tournaments and leagues for their respective games, and they have built up large followings among gamers. There are also grassroots organisations that run their own mini-tournaments, such as the Mineski Pro-Gaming League (MPGL). This grassroots scene is important because it helps to promote esports within communities and educates new players about the various games.
There is growing interest among Malaysians to get involved in esports, with more people tuning into live streams of tournaments than ever before. This indicates that there is a potential market for professional esports here, something that Astro Gaming has already recognised. The company has announced plans to support local talent through its scholarship programme and provide coaching facilities so that Malaysian gamers can take their skills to the next level.
Esports in Malaysia and the E-Sports Industry
Malaysia is one of the most active esports nations in Southeast Asia. With a population of over 30 million, the country boasts a passionate fan base and an impressive amount of talent. The Malaysian community has played a significant role in developing the industry, and organizers have been quick to embrace the opportunity to establish their country as a regional hub for competitive gaming.
The esports landscape in Malaysia is still somewhat nascent, but there are signs that things are growing quickly. In January 2019, Esport World Expo was held in Kuala Lumpur with more than 2,000 participants from around the world. This event was followed by the inaugural SEA Games Esports Tournament which saw participating teams from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia battle it out for $100,000 in prize money. Additionally, several leading organizations have begun investing significant resources into team building and infrastructure development efforts. This includes Mwave (the country’s largest online gaming platform), GameRanger (a streaming platform), Cyberjaya Digital Media City (a state-of-the-art gaming arena) and MyRepublic (one of Southeast Asia’s leading internet service providers).
It is clear that Malaysia is firmly committed to its position as an emerging powerhouse in esports – with continued investment and growth, it is likely that we will see even more exciting developments in this rapidly expanding field.
Esports Regulations in Malaysia
Esports in Malaysia is an emerging industry that has seen a rapid growth in recent years. With the rise of esports, there has been a corresponding need to establish regulations and guidelines to ensure that the industry runs smoothly. In light of this, the Malaysian Esports Association (MEA) has been active in compiling and proposing regulations for the industry.
The current regulatory framework for esports in Malaysia comprises of two main categories: traditional sports and digital gaming. In terms of traditional sports, esports falls under Section 7(1)(a) of the Sports Act 1977 which states that any sport or physical exercise conducted or organised with a view to promoting national or racial Honour shall be deemed to be part of the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. This means that esports can be included as part of compulsory school curriculums in Malaysia.
Under Section 7(1)(b), digital gaming falls under Part VII of the Criminal Code which deals with unlawful activities such as gambling and online fraud. As such, it is illegal to operate an online gaming platform without a licence from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Licensing requirements for online gaming platforms include mandatory registration with MCMC, identification verification measures, financial security measures, information disclosure requirements, and anti-money laundering compliance mechanisms. The licensing process can take up to six months to complete.
In order to cater to both traditional sports fans and esports enthusiasts, MEA has proposed two additional Regulations for esports; Regulation 6 pertaining to match fixing and Regulation 7 pertaining to gambling. Under Regulation 6, it is illegal for any person to fix or manipulate any game played in esports. This includes instances where teams or individual players are given unfair advantages in order to win matches. Violators may be subject to a fine of up to RM100,000 (US$24,000) and/or up to five years in prison.
Under Regulation 7, it is illegal for anyone to bet or gamble on any esports betting game. This includes placing wagers with other people, using third-party platforms to make bets, and making financial transactions related to esports betting. Penalties for violating this regulation include a fine of RM50,000 (US$12,000) and/or six months in jail.
Further regulations that have been proposed by MEA include Regulations 4 and 5 pertaining to intellectual property rights (IPR) and anti-doping, respectively. IPR regulations would ensure that all esports content – including logos, designs, and trademarks – is properly licensed and protected from infringement. Anti-doping regulations would impose strict penalties on anyone who dabbles in doping activities within the esports industry. These penalties could include a ban from participating in esports in Malaysia altogether, as well as fines and imprisonment.
While the current regulatory framework is comprehensive and covers all aspects of esports in Malaysia, there are still some gaps that need to be addressed. For example, there is no specific regulation governing match fixing or gambling in esports in Malaysia, which leaves these activities open to abuse. Additionally, the licensing process for online gaming platforms is lengthy and cumbersome, which has led to a lack of competition in the market. MEA is currently working on proposals to streamline the licensing process and increase competition among online gaming platforms.
How does Esports in Malaysia Fit In Malaysia?
Malaysia is a country with a rich culture and history. It is also known for its hospitality and warm people. Esports in Malaysia has taken off like wildfire, with competitions happening regularly in different Universities and local leagues. The Malaysian government recognizes the importance of esports in Malaysia and their potential to bring people together.
The Malaysian gaming market is expected to reach RM1 billion by 2020, which is just the beginning. The industry of esports in Malaysia currently employs around 1,000 people and is growing rapidly. In order to keep up with this growth, the Malaysian government has announced plans to build a dedicated esports stadium in Kuala Lumpur that can hold up to 10,000 spectators.
Esports in Malaysia is not just about playing video games anymore; they are about competition, teamwork, and socialising. There are now professional leagues all over the world where players from all over spectate or compete against each other for prizes. This once-isolated community has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment on the internet, with viewers in every country tuning in to watch their favourite teams battle it out online.
Conclusion
Esports is a booming industry that has seen rapid growth in recent years. Malaysia is no exception and the country is now home to some of the top esports teams in the world. With tournaments such as The International and ESL One taking place annually, there’s never been a better time to get involved. If you want to know more about esports in Malaysia and how it fits into the local scene, read on!