KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 4, 2025 – Malaysia marked a historic milestone in its animation and gaming industry with the launch of the *Upin & Ipin Universe* game today at Aloft Hotel, officiated by Digital Minister YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo. The game, a collaboration between Les’ Copaque Production and Streamline Studios, transforms the beloved animated series into an immersive digital world, signaling Malaysia’s growing prominence in the global digital content economy.
“This launch is a testament to Malaysia’s creativity, innovation, and collaborative spirit,” said Gobind in his keynote address. “*Upin & Ipin* has entertained us for nearly two decades with its meaningful messages of friendship and community. Today’s game marks a significant evolution, transitioning this cultural icon into interactive gaming and placing Malaysia on the global stage.”
The event, attended by Les’ Copaque Managing Director Tuan Haji Burhanuddin Md Radzi, FINAS Chairman Dato’ Gerald Hans Isaac, MDEC Senior Vice President Datuk Ts. Fadzil Abdul Wahit, and Streamline Studios Co-Founder Stefan Baier, highlighted the government’s commitment to the Digital Creative Ecosystem Roadmap (DICE). Launched by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), DICE aims to position Malaysia as a regional and global hub for digital content creation by 2030 through talent development, market access, and innovation.
Gobind noted the global entertainment and media industry’s growth, valued at USD2.8 trillion in 2023 and projected to reach USD3.4 trillion by 2028, per the PWC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024. Malaysia’s creative digital sector contributed RM5.3 billion in revenue in 2023, with RM800 million in exports and over 10,000 high-value jobs created.
To bolster the sector, MDEC introduced two new initiatives: the Animated Shorts Challenge, encouraging local talent to produce original animations for global audiences, and the Digital Games Testbed, offering incentives for developers to explore new genres with technical and market support. Existing programs, including the Digital Content Incubation Program and Digital Content Grant, further facilitate global market access at events like Gamescom and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
“The *Upin & Ipin Universe* game exemplifies what Malaysia can achieve when creativity meets opportunity,” Gobind said, praising the collaboration for embodying cultural richness and innovation. He urged young developers to seize opportunities supported by the Ministry and MDEC, emphasizing, “Malaysia is a land of limitless possibilities.”
The launch underscores Malaysia’s ambition to become a global powerhouse in the digital creative economy, with *Upin & Ipin Universe* poised to captivate players worldwide while elevating the nation’s gaming and animation profile.