Events like Indie Jam 2026 encourage local games industry to unite

Indie-focused events like this weekend’s Indie Jam 2026 in Shah Alam help raise awareness of Southeast Asian games and game makers. The only way the local games industry can survive is by working together, writes Kakuchopurei.

KUALA LUMPUR: Indie Jam 2026 is happening this weekend at Management and Science University Shah Alam, featuring numerous indie game developers showcasing their new and upcoming titles.

Apart from being a free, all-ages event, it will also feature a strong line-up of talks from industry players such as Playstack (Balatro publishers), Passion Republic Games (Gigabash creators from Malaysia), 7th Beat Games (Rhythm Doctor creators, also from Malaysia), and Metronomik (No Straight Roads developers from Malaysia).

Indie-focused events like these help raise awareness of Southeast Asian games and game makers, not only through partners like Southeast Asian Games Showcase and Goldpact Goblins, but also local media such as Nmia Gaming and Gamer Matters. The only way the local games industry can survive is by working together, despite differences in perspectives and approaches.

It is no secret that Malaysian companies have their own biases and quirks, much like others in Southeast Asia. But petty grievances have no place in a field as creative and thought-provoking as this – especially at a time when the global games industry is grappling with its own challenges.

Even major first-party publishers like PlayStation, a Southeast Asian favourite, are dealing with issues stemming from past leadership and are now in damage-control mode.

Despite all this, grassroots game companies will endure. But to ensure that, video game media and consumers alike must play their part in acknowledging and supporting them.

Events and showcases like Indie Jam and Southeast Asian Games Showcase, alongside the aforementioned media, are key cogs driving the local games industry forward.

Short Beats

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now showing in Asian theatres. The all-ages film featuring Nintendo characters has grossed US$34.5 million on its opening day in the United States.

Blizzard is hiring for an upcoming “open-world shooter” using Unreal Engine, hinting that a new StarCraft title with third-person combat starring a Ghost operative may be in development.

Pearl Abyss’ open-world role-playing game Crimson Desert has sold four million copies worldwide.

Overwatch has revealed a new character named Hero 51, with many noting her resemblance to Street Fighter’s Cammy White.

Market analyst group TrendForce said retail DDR5 kit pricing is falling sharply in China, the United States and Europe, which could eventually lead to more affordable gaming PCs and consoles.

Filming of the new live-action Tomb Raider television adaptation has been halted after lead actress Sophie Turner was injured on set.

Nexon has admitted that its live-service looter shooter title The First Descendant “has no staying power”, despite reaching a peak of 264,000 concurrent players on Steam.

We discuss the recent Nintendo leaks and review Crimson Desert (after 50 hours of play) on this week’s Kakuchopurei video podcast.

Games out this week

Little Nemo and the Guardians of Slumberland is a cute yet challenging 2D search-action platformer set against the backdrop of the 1940s Winsor McCay comic series. Players control Nemo as he pushes back Oblivion by aiding the titular Guardians, traversing themed realms and restoring Slumberland.

Grime II is a surreal 2D search-action title featuring punishing combat, deep exploration, and a wide array of powers and abilities. Players take on the role of The Formless, uncovering their identity in an abstract, mystical world.

Breath of Fire IV, a classic PlayStation One Japanese role-playing game from Capcom featuring dragons, lush visuals, and turn-based combat, is now available on Steam (PC).

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is a new entry in the long-running franchise, featuring gothic vampires and a world on the brink of apocalypse. This 2D title retells the saga through the eyes of Elaleth, sister of Raziel.

Darwin’s Paradox is an action-adventure title from ZeDrimeTim and Konami, starring an octopus trapped in a mysterious industrial complex. Players must use its unique abilities to overcome environmental hazards in a platforming experience.

Super Meat Boy 3D is a challenging 3D platformer where players control a sentient piece of meat through a series of deadly obstacles.

Recommended viewing

Fighting game content creator Spag hosted a Heatspeak podcast discussing Tekken 8 and the state of fighting games as live-service products, with veteran player Aris offering sharp criticism of Bandai Namco.

He raises compelling points on Tekken 8 and why it is currently facing backlash from the competitive scene.