In an exclusive interview with The Jakarta Post, Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar highlights a new focus on pushing underdeveloped roles, such as community management and QC testing, to grow the local gaming industry for global appeal.
Opening opportunities: Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar speaks to ‘The Jakarta Post’ during an exclusive interview on May 7, 2026, at the ministry in Autograph Tower on Jl. Thamrin in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. (JP/Iqro Rinaldi)
The government is looking to widen its approach to the gaming industry beyond developers and esports athletes to include supporting roles that cater to global demand, which could create opportunities for both businesses and creative talent.“Now, specifically in the game industry in the nation, we have always focused on gaming development, and that’s it. And we always say that we don’t have the investments, the money. We don’t have support. But the gaming industry is more than just game development,” Deputy Creative Economy Minister Irene Umar told The Jakarta Post in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Irene, who previously founded a game company and a venture capital firm focused on the gaming industry, said the local industry still focused too narrowly on coding and development.
