Hari Gim Indonesia: Unlocking Indonesia’s Digital Economy Through Gaming Innovation

As Indonesia marks its National Game Day (Hari Gim Indonesia) on August 8th, it’s more than just a celebration of play—it’s a recognition of how gaming is powering one of the country’s most dynamic sectors.

Indonesia’s gaming landscape reflects a surge of ambition and innovation. From initiating the first nationwide Esports Presidential Cup in 2019 to increasing regulatory support through Presidential Regulation No. 19 of 2024 on game industry acceleration, the nation is laying strong foundations for a thriving, future-ready gaming ecosystem.

Indonesia – A Rising Gaming Giant

With a gaming market valued at nearly US$2 billion, Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest and fastest-growing player. And the numbers speak for themselves. Indonesia is home to 148 million active gamers, accounting for a staggering 45.8% of all gamers in Southeast Asia. It ranks 12th globally for developer communities on Google Play, boasting 10,400 developers.

Coda’s Insights on Indonesian Gamers

40% of Codashop users now come from outside Java, showing that gaming is no longer confined to major urban centers.

So how are players engaging? It’s fast, social, and mobile. Top titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, and VALORANT dominate local spending, with e-wallets powering most transactions.

In fact, 72% of Codashop purchases today are made using e-wallets, up by 38% since 2021. Frictionless payments are fueling this shift, and we’re helping publishers keep pace. 

Clearing the Hurdles: Challenges and Opportunities

Indonesia’s gaming market is growing fast. But with growth comes friction. While more than half the population plays games, public perception hasn’t fully caught up. In many households, gaming is still seen as “unproductive” or even “harmful,” a view that continues to shape conversations around youth, screen time, and digital well-being.

That’s changing. Gamers, publishers, and researchers are actively reframing gaming as part of a balanced digital lifestyle. From eSports athletes with disciplined fitness routines to communities promoting healthy, time-managed play, the narrative is evolving. Coda’s previous #MainSehatBarengCoda (#HealthyGamingwithCoda) in Indonesia looked into effective steps gamers should take to ensure their gaming habits don’t come at the cost of their wellbeing.

But perception is only one piece of the puzzle. For many local developers, the bigger challenge is turning engagement into income. Indonesia is one of the world’s most active mobile gaming markets, yet monetization remains uneven. Many players prefer free-to-play models, average revenue per user (ARPU) is low, and retention is short. This creates a tough environment for local titles trying to compete, grow, and reinvest in content.

Today, homegrown games make up just 5% of the market. That’s a call to action. Indonesian developers have the creativity, technical talent, and cultural insight. But to thrive, they need more than users and infrastructure: easy access to effective monetization tools, broader payment coverage, and platforms that support sustainable growth.

With the right growth partner, developer programs, simplified regulation, and more inclusive payment access, Indonesia can fast-track its role as a leader in the creative economy. 

At Coda, we help make that path clearer. We support publishers with tools that simplify monetization, reduce friction, and unlock global growth. Publishers can self-onboard quickly and easily to sell their gaming content on Codashop or try out Instant Commerce to build a web store for their games in minutes. As a Merchant of Record, we handle local payment operations, tax compliance, and risk, so publishers can focus on growing their game. From payments to distribution, we’re in your corner, helping turn local insights into sustainable global success – let’s chat.