MOONTON Games and Garudaku Academy partner up to enhance education for Indonesia’s esports ecosystem

The development of the esports industry has grown rapidly over  the last few years. According to the Global Games Market Report 2021 , Indonesia occupies the  position of 17 largest gaming markets. This data is reinforced in the Indonesia Esports Industry  Outlook 2021 , according to EVOS Esports (one of the largest esports teams in Indonesia) where the  market alone has a total of 274.5 million gamers . Across Southeast Asia, Indonesia contributes up to  43% of the total gaming population and was the highest revenue contributor; USD 2.08 billion or  around Rp 30 trillion in the last year.  

The high number of gamers and revenue streams is an indication that the esports industry has  considerable potential in Indonesia. However, some obstacles are faced, such as the need for  Internet access and a mobile phone to enter into the ecosystem, or a entry level device to start  gaming. 

Most mobile gaming players heavily rely on a smartphone to play, as its seen as the first barrier to  enjoying and learning more about games. MOONTON Games has been contributing to the  Indonesian gaming and digital industry since the launch of its top MOBA, Mobile Legends: Bang  Bang. The international organisation has taken on new responsibilities to reduce digital gap in rural  areas, to enable more people to leverage on the convenience and growth digital economy, and open  opportunities for young esports athletes.

MOONTON Games has therefore collaborated with Garudaku Akademy, under the MOONTON  Games Program – to launch Fostering The Legends.  

“There are hundreds of students from seven schools in East Java, who will be beneficiaries under the  MOONTON Cares and Garudaku Akademi joint program. We will facilitate the academy’s esports  training program which includes a variety of programs for students interested in entering the esports  industry. Not just as an esports athlete, other opportunities are referees, casters, managers, even  influencers or content creators,” stated Azwin Nugraha, Public Relations & Communications Manager  of MOONTON Games Indonesia during the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between  MOONTON Games and Garudaku Academy in Malang, East Java. 

(L-R: Head of Academy Program Garudaku Academy Robertus Aditya Pratomo Putro, Public  Relations & Communications Manager Moonton Indonesia) 

In the MOU between MOONTON Games and Garudaku Academy, it was also revealed that  MOONTON Games will enhance digital access by donating smartphones to schools. “The hope is  that students can also directly practice the use of smartphones and not just simply learning and  theorizing about it, so that it can be directly implemented in the real world, especially education,”  Azwin added. 

Garudaku Academy is an esports academy that stands under the Indonesian Esports Executive  Board to nurture esports talents through education. Garudaku Academy is a strategic program that  will address various challenges related to the development of an esports ecosystem of achievement,  character, and integrity. 

“Carrying the concept of coaching, learning and training that includes technical and non-technical  skills or soft skills, Garudaku Esports Academy involves academics and practitioners in the fields of  esports, psychology, public speaking, personal branding, health and nutrition, physical fitness, and law as teachers and compilers of syllabus and learning and training materials. “said Robertus Aditya  Pratomo Putro, Head of Garudaku Esports Academy Program.  

Since 2018, MOONTON Games Games has produced hundreds of esports athletes who have  competed under the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia and Mobile  Legends: Bang Bang Development. League Indonesia. 

Hundreds of professional esports players in Indonesia are not only the backbone of their household  contribution, but carry the reputation and representation of the nation, to an international mobile  esports stage. For the record, Indonesia has brought home silver medals at the 2019 SEA Games in  the Philippines and the 2020 SEA Games in Vietnam. The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team from  Indonesia, EVOS Esports also won the title of the best MLBB team in the world after winning the  Mobile Legends World Championship (M1) held in Malaysia three years ago. 

In January 2023, two of the best Mobile Legends: Bang Bang teams from Indonesia will compete to  become the best MLBB squad in the M4 World Championship on January 1 – 15th. Two Indonesian  teams, RRQ Hoshi and ONIC Esports will bear the flag of Indonesia during then.  

About MOONTON 

Established in 2014, MOONTON is a global video game company dedicated to gaming development,  publication and esports. With more than 900 employees worldwide, the company operates offices in  Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China. It has successfully launched a  number of high-profile mobile games globally and has built long-term relationships with governments  and esports organizations in more than 30 countries around the world. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is  its current star game and the leading mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game worldwide. 

About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is the most popular mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)  game worldwide that brings communities together through teamwork and strategy. With over one  billion installations and 100 million active monthly users, the award-winning game is among the top 10  most played in over 80 countries. With an extensive reach across the Asia Pacific region, the  multiplayer is available in 139 countries with an expansive global esports presence. 

About Mobile Legends Esports 

Established in 2017, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports serves as a platform for players to pursue  their dreams of becoming esports athletes and illuminate opportunities within the international esports  ecosystem. MLBB Esports has since expanded to multiple leagues, including the MPL series hosted  in Southeast Asia.