Ts. Dr Ng Yiing Y’ng starting her discussion on “Perceptions of Local Culture in Games”.

Alumni Sophie Azlan is the co-founder of Indie studio, Make with Friends and is also a contract lecturer at University of Wollongong Malaysia.

By UOW Malaysia 

The 3^rd edition of Indie Jam, organised by The Magic Rain, recently concluded, leaving a significant mark on the Malaysian game development landscape. This year’s event featured invaluable contributions from Ts. Dr Ng Yiing Y’ng and Sophie Azlan, esteemed lecturers from the University of Wollongong Malaysia, who shared their academic and industry insights into the unique culture of games within Malaysia.

Indie Jam has established itself as a crucial annual event—an independent games showcase where Game Development students actively participate. More than just a display of games, it functions as a mini-conference, fostering a sense of community and driving growth within the local game development scene. This latest edition featured an impressive array of 35 games on the show floor—a vibrant mix of independent video games from across Southeast Asia, alongside exciting student projects from Malaysian universities.

This year’s event garnered significant attention, drawing approximately 3,000 enthusiastic participants who eagerly engaged in playtesting final-year student games from the University of Wollongong Malaysia. This direct interaction provided invaluable end-user feedback, offering these emerging developers a crucial final push as they refined their creations.

Lecturers Dr Ng and Sophie expressed strong belief in the University’s Bachelor of Game Development (Honours) program, emphasising its effectiveness in nurturing talent that is both culturally aware and responsive to the demands of modern society. Their confidence stems from the program’s commitment to breaking traditional perceptions and fostering a new generation of game developers who understand the local context.

The insights shared by Dr Ng and Sophie at Indie Jam 2025, coupled with the impressive showcase of student talent, underscore the growing vibrancy and potential of Malaysia’s game development scene. Events such as Indie Jam—supported by dedicated educators and forward-thinking academic programs—are instrumental in shaping the future of gaming in the region.

For those eager to experience the creativity and skill of these budding developers, the Bachelor of Game Development (Honours) student games are available for free play and download at: https://uowmgames.itch.io/.

The Bachelor of Game Development (Honours) program at the University of Wollongong Malaysia stands as a flagship initiative, meticulously designed to cultivate the skills of prospective students across the core disciplines of game art, game design, and game technology. The program benefits from a strong collaborative relationship with the gaming industry, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and equips graduates with the practical knowledge and abilities demanded by the ever-evolving entertainment sector. The University takes pride in producing well-rounded graduates who are poised to make meaningful contributions to the industry.