Thailand and Indonesia level up burgeoning video game industry

Region's growing middle class draws developers looking beyond Japan, China

20250217N mobile games

Mobile games are a popular way to spend downtime at work in Thailand. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

KOSUKE INOUE

BANGKOK -- Southeast Asian countries are investing to expand their video game industries, cultivating a multibillion-dollar market as well as a potential source of soft power.

Though East Asia makes up the bulk of the Asian gaming market, Japan's population is shrinking and regulatory risks in China are spurring companies there to look overseas. Southeast Asia accounts for only around 7% of Asia's overall market size, but is home to 22% of its gaming population.

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