KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – US Embassy Kuala Lumpur announced the successful implementation of YSEALI Game Changers, held on May 11-14, 2023 at Mereka Space, PUBLIKA Kuala Lumpur. The event was attended by 77 selected participants from Southeast Asian countries, including 11 from Indonesia.
The event was designed as a workshop and game jam, which aimed to bring together game makers from various backgrounds to focus on creating games with social impact. Participants had the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and share ideas on how technology and digital media can be used to drive positive social change.
One of Indonesia’s representatives in this event was Arek Malang named Istivano from Lets Studio (Let’s Play Indonesia’s Game Studio). As a game designer, Istivano brings valuable knowledge and experience in encouraging youth participation and involvement in the game industry.
YSEALI Focus
The YSEALI Game Changers program brings together renowned game design experts from the Americas and Southeast Asia including Lindsay Grace, Knight Chair in Interactive Media at the University of Miami, Alan Gershenfeld, Co-Founder/President of E-Line Media, and Lien Tran, award-winning game designer and instructor at DePaul University. Among the regional experts joining the program are Saqina Latif, Managing Director of Persona Theory Games from Malaysia, El Lim, Founder of Khayalan Arts from Indonesia, and Luna Javier, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Altitude Games from the Philippines.
“YSEALI Game Changers is a shining example of the power of games and play to connect people, unite communities, and inspire impactful economic and social change,”
— Lindsay Grace, Founding Professor of Game Design, University of Miami
“It illustrates the pervasive nature of play, the power of play to engage, empower, and involve not only the players of games but also the people who create them.” He continued, “There’s a reason why we call this a game jam because like musicians having a jam session, each participant and coach brings their unique skills and experiences to create a new project spontaneously. We’re all still playing the keyboard, just in a different way. It’s a cultural exchange through play.” He guided participants through various workshop sessions and led discussions on how games can be used to drive social change.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the YSEALI Game Changers event,” said an official from the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. “Participants have shown great enthusiasm and dedication in creating games that are not only engaging but also have significant social impact. We hope that this will be a stepping stone for them to continue innovating and making positive changes through their medium.”
The YSEALI Game Changers event is part of a larger initiative by the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to support the growth and development of the gaming industry in Southeast Asia, as well as to encourage the use of technology and digital media to drive social change.
About YSEALI & Let’s Play Indonesia
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a program from the US Embassy designed to help young leaders in Southeast Asia develop their leadership skills and strengthen regional ties. The program includes a series of workshops, seminars, and other activities designed to facilitate learning and exchange of ideas.
Let’s Play Indonesia is a learning platform that uses Games as a learning medium.
For more complete information, please access Letsplayindonesia.com.
