KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): Global video game commerce company Xsolla, Inc has collaborated with Curine Ventures to launch the Xsolla Curine Academy (XCA) in KL Eco City.

The academy, launched on Thursday, is dedicated to equipping game developers with essential competencies for a thriving career through its expansive, industry-aligned programmes.

XCA offers diverse courses — ranging from one- to 12 months — covering key areas, including communication practices within the gaming industry, indie game design and development, computer graphic art, game strategy and intellectual property (IP) incubation.

The programmes are specifically tailored for those interested in game development as a business venture. Through a practical, hands-on learning approach, participants will gain the essential knowledge and skills to take a game from its initial concept to post-launch success.

This includes mastering storytelling, computer graphic art, character creation, analytics, project management techniques tailored for the gaming industry, leveraging cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence, marketing strategies unique to gaming audiences, monetisation strategies, and effective pitching tactics — all vital components for thriving in the competitive landscape of the game development business.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo said that the gaming industry has emerged as that powerhouse of innovation, creativity and economic potential. The local video gaming industry has registered significant growth and is projected to generate up to US$649 million in revenue this year alone.

He added that the market is anticipated to show a steady annual growth rate of 7.55%, which would result in a projected market value volume of US$807 million by 2027. On top of that, investment in the digital content sector in Malaysia has grown from RM550 million in 2022 to RM1.6 billion in 2023.

“The sector is projected to produce over 1,900 high-income jobs through Malaysia Digital status companies. This shows that the digital creative industry is the most significant driver of growth for Malaysia and there’s plenty of interest shown in the industry,” he said.

When it comes to commercialisation, Gobind said the market may have stagnated, making it difficult for new games to stand out and achieve commercial success. Some players face difficulties in monetising the game or navigating local laws and regulations in a new market.

Another issue that needs urgent attention, he said, relates to policy matters involving intellectual property (IP) protection in the digital space. “The Ministry of Digital and the Malaysian Government are committed to providing unwavering support to the gaming industry, including financial initiatives, incentives and regulatory frameworks that protect IP rights.

“Ultimately, collaboration is key. The gaming industry is inherently global and achievement in this field requires certain efforts from all stakeholders, locally and abroad,” he said.

The Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah attended the launch of the XCA. Also present were Xsolla founder Shurick Agapitov and Xsolla president David Stelzer.

Kaveh Wong, co-founder of the XCA, said the academy has three main priorities: to create its own IP, to upskill students and working adults to give them better employment opportunities, and to create a passion in entrepreneurs, invest and mentor them until they reach the international stage.

“I believe collaboration is the key to success in Malaysia’s game industry and we are proud to partner with MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), Epic Games, Unity and other industry players to create a vibrant and thriving ecosystem for the game development in the country,” he said.

“We want to attract international companies and students from other countries to join our ecosystem. This will prove our local capabilities and enable us to execute international projects successfully.”

In an innovative collaboration, the Xsolla Funding Club and Accelerator will integrate with the XCA, creating a formidable network of over 250 investors and publishers.

This synergy is designed to share invaluable experiences and support in launching indie games, such as Lost in Play, Fix Fox, Toy Tactics, Flame Keeper, and many others, reinforcing the team’s dedication to nurturing gaming talent and fostering an ecosystem ripe for innovation.

Also at the launch was MDEC chief executive officer (CEO) Mahadhir Aziz, who said that the establishment of the XCA marks a monumental leap forward, offering a dynamic platform where budding game developers, designers and entrepreneurs can converge, innovate and flourish. This initiative is not solely about skill-building, as it also catalyses aspirations and propels the gaming industry into a new era of excellence, he said.

“By nurturing talent and fostering collaboration, the academy serves as a springboard for pioneering ideas and groundbreaking advancements, shaping the trajectory for gaming innovation for generations to come,” he said.

“A very important part of this is that we don’t want to just work with you and land you here. We want to be in alliance with you to help you execute your investments. This academy, creating the talents as we envision here, is one of the manifestations of the things that we would like,” Mahadhir said.

He added that the corporation is looking forward to the next five years with the academy, as it is to empower at least 1,000 game industry specialists from designers, artists, programmers and also producers, to achieve a world-class standard in game development.

“We aim to foster innovation and creativity in the digital space, positioning Malaysia again as the global hub for the gaming industry. Our goal is to attract more international collaboration and investments, and to create games that are not only commercially successful, but also culturally significant.

“Through this and future collaborations and initiatives, we foresee that the development of IP that aligns with international standards could reflect in rich diversity and heritage to our nation. We believe this is achievable through continued support for education and training programmes to nurture this talent, in ensuring the growth and sustainability of the digital economy in Malaysia.

“Together, we can shape the future of the gaming industry, (birthed) out of Malaysia,” Mahadhir quipped.