Indonesia’s Mobile Game Market: Market Size, User Behavior, Popular Titles, and Game Developers
- Publish
- 2023/09/03
- Update
- 2025/08/16
- You can read this article in 6minutes
Indonesia’s gaming market has been growing rapidly, with mobile games standing out as a particularly fast-expanding segment.
With smartphone penetration increasing and a growing number of young people interested in gaming, Indonesia’s mobile game market is expected to continue its upward trajectory.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of mobile gaming in Indonesia. Topics include market size, user behavior, popular mobile games, in-game spending, and major mobile game companies. We hope you find it informative.
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Market Size of Mobile Games in Indonesia
According to app analytics company Data.ai, which analyzed app downloads on Google Play, Indonesia ranks as the third-largest mobile gaming market in the world.
In this study, it was found that Indonesian mobile game users spent a total of USD 370 million (JPY 53.856 billion, based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 145.56 JPY) on mobile games in 2022. This represents an increase of USD 50 million (JPY 7.278 billion) from the previous year.
Moreover, the statistical platform Statista forecasts that the mobile game market in Indonesia will grow at an annual rate of 6.6% between 2023 and 2027, reaching a market size of USD 1.28 billion (JPY 186.313 billion) by 2027.
Indonesia’s mobile game market is already among the world’s largest, and is projected to grow even further, making it a highly promising sector.
References:
- VIVA.co.id – “Indonesia Becomes the Third Largest Mobile Game Market in the World”
- Statista – “Mobile Games – Indonesia”
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Mobile Game Usage Among Indonesians
According to research conducted by British market research and data analysis firm YouGov, 72% of Indonesian gamers play mobile games, 37% play PC games, and 15% enjoy console games such as PlayStation (as of 2020, multiple answers allowed).
Among various types of games, mobile games clearly have the highest demand. But what types of games interest Indonesians, and how much time do they spend playing them daily? In this section, we examine the actual mobile gaming habits of Indonesian users.
Reference:
databoks – “Orang Indonesia Paling Banyak Bermain Gim di Smartphone”
Daily Time Spent on Online Games by Indonesians
According to a survey conducted by the Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia (Indonesia Internet Service Providers Association), only 23% of the 8,510 respondents had experience playing online games (including PC and mobile platforms).
Among those who had played online games, 42% reported spending more than 4 hours per day, followed by 27% spending 3–4 hours, 12% spending 2–3 hours, and 11% spending 1–2 hours.
The average daily time spent by Japanese online game users is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, meaning Indonesian users tend to spend significantly more time on online gaming.
Additionally, 10% of Indonesian online game users have participated in gaming tournaments. Among this particularly dedicated 10%, some even aspire to become professional gamers.
References:
- databoks – “Mayoritas Konsumen Game Online Main Lebih dari 4 Jam Sehari”
- Mitsubishi UFJ Research & Consulting – “Online Gaming Trends｜P5. 1.2 Online Game Usage Status”
Most Downloaded Mobile Games in Indonesia in 2022
Below are the most downloaded mobile games in Indonesia in 2022, along with their respective genres:
- Stumble Guys (Party, Party Royale)
- Higgs Domino Island (Casino, Domino)
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Action, Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
- Free Fire (Shooting, Battle Royale)
- Subway Surfers (Action, Runners)
- Super Sus (Party, Mafia, Deception)
- FIFA Soccer (Sports, Sports Simulation)
- Stickman Party (Party, Mini-games)
- Sakura School Simulator (Simulation, Avatar Life)
- Roblox (Simulation, Sandbox)
Reference:
Kompas.com – “10 Most Downloaded Mobile Games in Indonesia”
eSports Games Also Gaining Popularity
Indonesia’s eSports market has been booming recently, and many companies are taking note of the growth potential within the mobile eSports segment.
For example, Michael Wijaya, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Indonesian eSports team EVOS Esports, stated that of the 274.5 million gamers in Southeast Asia in 2021, Indonesia accounted for approximately 43%. Notably, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ranked 3rd) and Free Fire (ranked 4th) from the “Most Downloaded Mobile Games in 2022” list are both eSports titles.
Indonesian eSports teams have achieved strong results in many international tournaments, and the presence of professional players is further energizing the country’s eSports market.
With national-level initiatives such as the Presidential Cup and the establishment of the Indonesia Esports Association (IESPA), government support for the eSports field is stronger in Indonesia compared to Japan. It will be interesting to see how much this market expands going forward.
Reference:
GRUD GAMES.ID – “Here’s How Much Indonesian Gamers Spend on Top-Ups”
Most Popular Mobile Game Genres in Indonesia
Below are the results of a 2022 survey in Indonesia asking, “What are your favorite mobile game genres?” (Multiple answers allowed.)
Based on databoks: “MOBA Jadi Genre Mobile Game Paling Disukai di Indonesia”, compiled by PT. TRICRUISE MARKETING INDONESIA
- 1st: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) – 65%
- 2nd: Battle Royale – 31%
- 3rd: Action/Adventure – 16%
- 4th: Board Games – 13%
- 5th: Sports – 11%
Although lower in proportion, some users also showed interest in arcade-style mobile games commonly found in game centers, strategic games involving acquisition of land or assets, and puzzle games.
Board games and puzzles are often used as casual entertainment during idle times, such as while waiting in traffic. Although not the top choices, they still maintain a certain user base.
Why Battle and Action Games Are Popular
One reason for the popularity of battle and action games is that these two genres, compared to the past, have become more accessible for casual play on smartphones.
Unlike puzzle or casino games, which have long been enjoyed on handheld consoles or mobile phones, battle and action games were traditionally played on larger screens such as PCs or TVs. However, in recent years, it has become possible to enjoy high-resolution, immersive battle and action games on smartphones.
In Indonesia, smartphones are more affordable and accessible than PCs or gaming consoles. This has allowed many individuals, who previously could not afford a PC or console due to financial reasons, to easily enjoy these types of games.
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Do Indonesians Spend Money on Mobile Apps?
To understand how much Indonesian mobile gamers are willing to spend on in-game purchases, we take a look at data from popular eSports games such as Free Fire, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG Mobile.
According to Michael Wijaya, Co-founder of EVOS Esports, 68% of Indonesian gamers spend less than IDR 100,000 (approx. USD 6.86) per transaction (based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 14,580 IDR). The second largest group, 27%, spends between IDR 100,000 and 300,000 (USD 6.86 – 20.57), while only 5% spend over IDR 300,000 (USD 20.57).
Another study reported that 38% of users stated they do not spend any money on mobile games. This indicates that many Indonesian mobile gamers enjoy games either for free or with minimal spending.
References:
- GRID GAMES.ID – “Here’s How Much Indonesian Gamers Spend on Top-Ups”
- Licolice – “Indonesians Love Smartphone Games, But Are Reluctant to Pay”
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Major Mobile Game Companies in Indonesia
Finally, let us introduce some of the well-known mobile game developers based in Indonesia.
Agate
Founded in 2009 with just 18 members, Agate started as a small company. However, the release of Earl Grey and Rupert Guy the following year attracted over 1 million players within a week, gaining significant attention. Their strong development capabilities soon became widely recognized in the industry.
Among their notable titles is Football Saga, which boasts 58,000 monthly active users, as well as many other games that have drawn attention both domestically and internationally.
Today, Agate leverages its extensive development experience to provide services such as app functionality enhancement, and VR/AR technology integration, contributing to the overall growth of the gaming industry.
Reference: Agate
Megaxus
Established in 2006, Megaxus is a game company focused on both mobile and online games. One of its most popular titles is Ayodance, a rhythm game where players dance to music while customizing their characters’ fashion items—a unique concept that captured many fans.
Other titles include Bakso Horror, in which players make meatballs (bakso) for ghosts, and Tower Fever, a game where players build high towers to earn high scores.
In addition to game development, Megaxus offers services such as secure payment solutions for in-game purchases, game planning, and promotional publishing services.
Reference: Megaxus
Touchten Games
Touchten Games is one of Indonesia’s leading mobile game developers.
They have created a wide variety of games, including a time-management cooking series where players prepare sushi, ramen, and desserts within a time limit; Piper’s Pet Cafe, a travel game with pets; and TTS2, a crossword puzzle game where players win prizes. Their flagship game Sushi Chain has surpassed 1.2 million downloads.
Touchten has also won the Google Play Indonesia Games Contest and received the Forbes Indonesia Rising Global Star Award, further cementing its reputation in the online gaming industry.
Reference: Touchten Games
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Indonesia’s Rapidly Growing Mobile Game Market
Indonesia has been steadily laying the foundation for a thriving mobile gaming industry, thanks to factors such as proactive national support for the eSports sector and the widespread penetration of smartphones.
Moreover, as household incomes continue to rise, in-game spending is expected to increase, further expanding the size of the market.
For companies interested in entering Indonesia’s entertainment sector, mobile gaming—which is currently on an upward trajectory—represents a promising area worth serious consideration.
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How much time do Indonesians spend on online games per day?
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Among those who have played online games, 42% spend more than 4 hours per day, 27% spend 3 to 4 hours, and 11% spend 1 to 2 hours on online gaming.
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What mobile games have been downloaded in Indonesia?
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The most downloaded mobile game in 2022 was Stumble Guys, followed by other popular titles such as Higgs Domino Island and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
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What kind of mobile game companies are there in Indonesia?
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In Indonesia, there are companies like Agate, known for the hit game Earl Grey and Rupert Guy which surpassed one million players within a week of its release; Megaxus, famous for the dance game Ayodance; and Touchten Games, known for the time-management game Sushi Chain.
