From Malay Mail · · 2m
Malaysia's e-sports jobs boom beyond pro gamers
Malaysia's e-sports scene creates jobs far beyond professional gaming.
In brief
Malaysia's e-sports scene creates jobs far beyond professional gaming. Malaysia's e-sports ecosystem generates economic opportunities through tournaments, digital jobs, and commercial partnerships beyond professional competition. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Quick answers
- Can Malaysia sustain growth?
- Malaysia’s e-sports sector faces challenges in sustaining growth with continued investment to support regional and global competition.
- What is the key takeaway from Malaysia's e-sports jobs boom beyond pro gamers?
- Malaysia's e-sports ecosystem generates economic opportunities through tournaments, digital jobs, and commercial partnerships beyond professional competition.
E-sports grows from hobby to career
Malaysia’s e-sports scene has evolved from a leisure activity into a professional industry with career opportunities beyond gaming.
“E-sports has grown from a leisure activity into part of Malaysia’s wider digital economy, supporting tournaments, jobs and commercial partnerships.”
Mohamed Ilyas plays for fun
26-year-old accountant Mohamed Ilyas Suhairi uses e-sports to unwind after work with PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and gaming computer.
“When I started following e-sports, I became interested in watching how players compete, how teams play differently and how the games can become so intense.”
MDEC sees e-sports as economic driver
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil says e-sports creates economic opportunities beyond professional players through coaches, production teams and animators.
“E-sports falls under the bigger digital content initiative. We have animation, we have games, we have e-sports.”
Global e-sports market grows
The video game industry generated US$184 billion in revenue in 2023 with Asia-Pacific dominating 46 percent of the market.
“According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the video game industry generated an estimated revenue of US$184 billion in 2023.”
MPL Malaysia draws big audiences
MPL Malaysia Season 18 recorded 7.22 million hours watched and peak concurrent viewership of 391,947.
“MPL Malaysia Season 18 has so far accumulated 7.22 million hours watched and reached a peak concurrent viewership of 391,947.”
M6 World Championship success
The 2024 M6 World Championship in Kuala Lumpur recorded over 4.1 million peak concurrent viewers and 85 million hours watched.
“The M6 World Championship, held in Kuala Lumpur in 2024, recorded more than 4.1 million peak concurrent viewers and over 85 million hours watched.”
Malaysia hosts global events
Malaysia has hosted major international e-sports events including ESL One Genting, PUBG Global Series, and M1 World Championship.
“Malaysia has also hosted several other major international e-sports events, including ESL One Genting, the PUBG Global Series, the M1 World Championship and the IESF World E-sports Championship.”
Government invests in e-sports
Under Budget 2025, Malaysia allocated RM20 million to strengthen e-sports with RM10 million for a dedicated e-sports stadium.
“Under Budget 2025, the government allocated RM20 million to strengthen the e-sports ecosystem, including talent development and the upgrading of e-sports arenas.”
MEL shows grassroots growth
Malaysia E-sports League recorded over 62,000 participants across five editions from 2021 to 2025.
“The Malaysia E-sports League (MEL) recorded more than 62,000 participants across five editions from 2021 to 2025, according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.”
E-sports creates digital jobs
MDEC reports RM87.25 billion in e-sports revenue and RM11.18 billion in export sales, creating 11,154 Malaysian jobs since 2011.
“The wider digital content industry also illustrates the commercial potential surrounding gaming and related creative sectors, with MDEC reporting RM87.25 billion in revenue and RM11.18 billion in export sales, while creating employment for some 11,154 Malaysians since 2011.”
Sponsorships boost e-sports
Red Bull, Infinix, Sony, U Mobile and CelcomDigi sponsor professional teams and tournaments in Malaysia’s e-sports scene.
“The growth of e-sports has also attracted partnerships between global and local brands and Malaysian e-sports organisations, with companies such as Red Bull, Infinix, Sony, U Mobile and CelcomDigi sponsoring professional teams, tournaments and digital content initiatives.”
Streamers earn real money
Malaysian streamers on TikTok and YouTube earn up to RM2,000 a month, with mid-level creators earning up to RM10,000 a month.
“SociaBuzz, a creator-support platform widely used by Malaysian streamers, citing Malaysia-based digital studio Miura Visual, said independent gaming creators in Malaysia typically earn up to RM2,000 a month, while mid-level creators can earn as much as RM10,000 a month.”
Digital economy grows
Malaysia’s digital economy contributed 25.5 percent to GDP in 2025 with a target of 30 percent by 2030.
“Malaysia’s digital economy contributed 25.5 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, with the government targeting a 30 per cent contribution by 2030.”
Can Malaysia sustain growth?
Malaysia’s e-sports sector faces challenges in sustaining growth with continued investment to support regional and global competition.
“The question now is whether Malaysia can sustain this momentum and turn its growing e-sports audience and talent into lasting opportunities across the digital economy.”
At a glance
Malaysia's e-sports ecosystem generates economic opportunities through tournaments, digital jobs, and commercial partnerships beyond professional competition.
