THE digital gaming industry, which has great career potential in the future, will be promoted at the school level, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

He said the ministry, via the Malaysia Digital Economic Corporation (MDEC), would visit schools to expose students to lucrative opportunities in the industry.

“All this while, digital gaming is seen as a form of entertainment, but it can actually create economic growth and provide considerable job opportunities in the future.

“MDEC will coordinate efforts to conduct briefings at schools about careers in this field, especially as developers and digital game creators.

“This is a great opportunity for Malaysia to get involved,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today, after an official visit to Level Up Inc, an elite gaming incubator to support the digital gaming industry in Malaysia.

He said the global digital gaming market was huge, and that the country’s younger generation could take advantage of it.

“The young people in the country have a great ability in digital gaming, of which we can be proud of, and some have succeeded internationally, by creating popular digital games.

“They are very creative, and their quality of work is on a par with those involved in digital gaming in other countries.

“So, we will continue to support the industry, so that it grows bigger.”

Salleh said the government would also help identify the appropriate platforms on which to market the titles produced by local digital game developers.

MDEC chief executive officer Yasmin Mahmood said it had helped launch 54 local digital gaming companies, pioneered by youth, over the past three years.

“During that period, they generated more than RM500 million in revenue. So, we hope the government will continue to provide them with the help required.

“We have to look at digital gaming as a potential future career. We cannot focus only on traditional jobs, because future jobs will yield considerable returns for the younger generation, as well as the nation.” – Bernama, January 19, 2018.