From young enthusiasts to retirees, Malaysians are embracing mobile games as a source of entertainment, relaxation and social connection, making them an integral part of daily life. — Photo by Onur Binay on Unsplash
The mobile gaming market in Malaysia is projected to reach an impressive US$313mil (RM1.35bil) this year, a testament to the growing popularity of this form of entertainment, according to market data statistics portal Statista. What’s fuelling this explosive growth?
The answer lies in the unique appeal of mobile gaming, which offers a blend of convenience, social interaction and immersive experiences that resonate with all kinds of players.
Unlike traditional console or PC gaming, mobile titles offer the convenience of playing at any moment, in any location. This accessibility is a key reason why so many people are drawn to them.
As Xander John, a 25-year-old gaming enthusiast, puts it, “Being able to play fast-paced, eight-minute games anywhere and anytime from your mobile phone is an unrivalled feature of convenience.”
Hazwani’s choice of game is HSR because she can spend more time strategising or even multitask and work on other things. — HAZWANI ABDUL GHANI
Hazwani Abdul Ghani, 26, concurs. “I don’t own a gaming PC at the moment, so my primary device is my mobile phone. I do enjoy the mobile platform because I can play games on-the-go, whenever and wherever I am... given that there’s decent Internet connectivity, of course,” she says.
One of the biggest advantages of mobile gaming, she says, is the convenience it offers. “A lot of times, I only need five to 10 minutes of gameplay per day to complete the in-game daily tasks of the games that I play. Instead of booting up a PC, I can just complete my tasks on my phone and be done with it immediately. Touch-n-go, really!” she adds, explaining how mobile gaming fits seamlessly into her daily routine, offering a quick and efficient way to stay connected to her favourite games.
The diversity of games available on mobile platforms also contributes to their widespread appeal. From the intense, strategy-driven battles in Honor Of Kings (HOK) to the creative and social sandbox of Roblox and the brain-teasing word challenges of Wordle on New York Times (NYT) Games, there’s something for everyone.
“I enjoy word games; they keep my brain sharp. Plus, they are easy to access – I just need WiFi – and I can play these wherever I am,” says 60-something retiree Estee Samuel, who finds joy in solving puzzles like Pilfer, Wordle and Quordle.
The simple pleasure of completing a puzzle offers her a sense of satisfaction, while the ability to play anywhere makes it a winsome, convenient pastime.
For the love of the game
For many Malaysians, mobile gaming is more than just a way to pass the time; it’s a form of relaxation and stress relief. The ability to dive into a virtual world, even for a few minutes, provides a welcome escape from the pressures of everyday life.
According to Statista, 38% of users said that the content in mobile gaming made them feel interested, highlighting the immersive nature of these games.
World Of Tanks Blitz is a free-to-play MMO tank shooter game that takes realism to the next level, says John, who has been playing the mobile version for almost five years now.
John finds that playing fast-paced, eight-minute games anywhere from a mobile phone offers unrivalled convenience. — XANDER JOHN
“The amazing graphics and physics make the playing experience very authentic, especially since over 90% of the available tanks in the game are actual war tanks used by powerful nations such as the United States, USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dissolved in 1991), German and Japanese armies during and after the events of WW2.
“Other realistic aspects that add to the wow factor include power-to-weight ratios, shell velocity and armour thickness, making the objectives of the game a lot harder to achieve than you would expect,” he enthuses.
While John admits that the Blitz version of World Of Tanks doesn’t come close to the PC or console immersiveness that he spent more time on in the past, he reckons it does a much better job at providing one with excellent gameplay compared to most other mobile games out there.
John says: “Currently, World Of Tanks Blitz is the only mobile game I play. However, I’ve had enough hours in other multiplayer mobile games such as Mobile Legends and Call Of Duty Mobile to conclude that the MMO tank shooter is up there, if not the best mobile game currently available in the market.
“No doubt other games are fun, but having jaw-dropping realism while having to play very strategically is an experience I’ve not had in any other mobile game.”
He adds that what he truly enjoys is “grinding” each session to expand his fleet of high-ranking vehicles. “Despite my occasional monetary splurges, I’ve only been able to attain 20% of the vehicles, which makes each achievement feel significant”.
Hazwani, on the other hand, finds herself drawn to titles like Genshin Impact (GI), an open-world adventure RPG that has captured hearts worldwide, and space fantasy RPG Honkai: Star Rail (HSR).
Hazwani loves games like HSR because of the mix of character design, lore, and playstyle. She always comes back for more whenever her interest is ignited by a new character. – HoYoverse
“I always come back every time there’s a new character that I’m interested in,” she shares. The combination of character design, lore and playstyle drives her dedication to these games. “If I strongly love a character, I’ll make sure to put all effort into obtaining them.”
For Hazwani, the compelling storylines in both games keep her engaged. “In each update, there’s always a new plot that progresses the story, and I want to experience the narrative myself,” she explains. This sense of ongoing discovery is a key reason why she returns to these games regularly.
When it comes to graphics and gameplay, the passionate mobile gamer praises the optimisation for mobile devices. “The graphics in both games are great. Even though I’m only using a mid-range smartphone, the games run smoothly,” she notes.
While she enjoys the real-time combat of GI, Hazwani prefers the turn-based strategy gameplay of HSR on her mobile. “In HSR, I can spend more time strategising my gameplay – or even multitask and work on other things. GI requires more concentration and focus, which is not ideal on the phone.”
Stacy Lock Jie Ying, a 33-year-old digital marketer and avid mobile gamer, enjoys Mobile Legends (ML) and HOK. “I’ve played both, and I think HOK is superior overall. The graphics and sound effects are impressive. Plus, I love that it features heroes and legends from Chinese culture,” she shares.
One reason Lock frequently plays HOK with friends is because Malaysian HOK esports teams have performed exceptionally well in international tournaments, such as The Honor of Kings Invitational S2. “This is a sign of our support for the game,” she adds.
Lock says the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) market is highly competitive and creative. “They often offer free/direct purchase for skins or limited-time collaborations, such as Bruce Lee and Sanrio crossovers. Can you imagine our excitement when they released a Datuk Lee Chong Wei character skin for one of the heroes?” she gushes.
“HOK is also well-optimised, so it runs smoothly even on older Android phones. This means that anyone can enjoy the game, as long as you have a smartphone. And with matches lasting only 15-20 minutes, it’s perfect for killing time. Unlike console or PC games, which require a lot of setup, MOBA games are easy to jump into.”
Connected and competitive
Another major draw is the social aspect of mobile gaming. Many games encourage interaction, whether through cooperative play or competitive matches.
For Rizal, mobile gaming is a social activity, often enjoyed when hanging out with friends at a mamak stall. — RIZAL AZLAN
Rizal Azlan, a 30-year-old game UX designer, finds the social aspect of mobile games particularly appealing. “The games that I enjoy playing on mobile are usually ones I can play with my friends,” Rizal says.
His favourites include Pokemon Unite, Pokemon Go and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) – titles that not only tap into his love for MOBAs like Dota 2 but also bring a sense of nostalgia with franchises like Pokemon.
Rizal highlights the accessibility of mobile gaming compared to other platforms. “Mobile gaming is much more accessible as compared to PCs or consoles like PlayStation or Xbox. Everyone has a mobile device, making it simple to download games and play with friends,” he says.
While PC and console gaming might offer a richer experience, the barriers to entry – such as cost and system requirements – make mobile gaming a more inclusive option.
For Rizal, mobile gaming is a social activity, often enjoyed when hanging out with friends at a mamak stall. “If our group of friends is hooked on a game, we’d typically play for an hour or two a day,” he notes.
He’s also open to trying new games, especially when they’re recommended by friends and offer cooperative gameplay. “When I’m looking for a quick game to pass the time, I prefer roguelikes or AFK (away from keyboard) games that provide a challenge and allow progress even when I’m not logged in.”
Talent manager Azzad Azman, 32, shares a similar love for mobile gaming, particularly for MLBB. As an avid player, Azzad takes pride in maintaining a high rank in the game.
“I’m at Mythical Honor, which is the highest rank in MLBB (there are seven ranks: Warrior, Elite, Master, Grandmaster, Epic, Legend and Mythical Honor). What I do is play different heroes and different roles, and I enhance my gameplay experience by reading up on every equipment or skill they have to make sure I understand each hero, skill or equipment’s function,” he explains.
Azzad takes pride in maintaining a high rank in games by diversifying his heroes and roles and studying each hero's equipment and skills. — AZZAD AZMAN
Azzad appreciates the competitive nature of MLBB and enjoys the fact that he can play with friends or even strangers from different servers like Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
However, he acknowledges the challenges that come with being highly ranked. “The challenge I have is being high-ranked but then meeting a novice or newbie,” he says, pointing out the occasional frustration that comes with the matchmaking system.
Despite these challenges, Azzad finds mobile gaming an enjoyable part of his routine, though he’s mindful of how it fits into his life. “I play MLBB for about two hours; that’s about four to five games a day, and it doesn’t really interfere with my daily responsibilities. I used to play at midnight before going to bed, but that wasn’t too good for my health,” he shares, reflecting on the balance between gaming and well-being.
Mobile gaming also taps into a desire for achievement and progression. Games often feature ever-evolving challenges, leaderboards and shareable achievements, which keep players engaged and coming back for more.
Balmond the Berserker, a fighter hero in MLBB, is a tank-type character meant to handle a lot of damage as he fights on the front lines. — Moonton
Marian Alexander, a 56-year-old teacher, enjoys the daily challenge of word games like Wordle, Connections, and Strands offered by NYT Games.
“I absolutely love the fact that everyone, everywhere, is simultaneously working on the same puzzle every day and that I am able to share my achievements on WhatsApp with a group of cousins and friends from around the world – the United States, India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka! We’ve been doing this for over two and a half years now, so it’s not just some transient obsession!”
Alexander says that she finds playing games after a long day of working and doing household chores very relaxing.
“Puzzle games as well as games like Subway Surfers, Candy Crush and Tetris give me a chance to regain some order in a unique way. It’s almost like watching a procedural drama on TV. In 45 minutes, everything’s done and dusted. I don’t have to work too hard to earn a small reward.
“The graphics in games like Alto’s Odyssey are also just gorgeous, even on my phone... it calms my mind,” she says, adding that she can occasionally get lost in a game and lose track of time. “Which I am mindful of... so these days I set a reminder alarm to limit my game time.”
But mobile games are not just solitary experiences; for many, the highlight is that they are also social platforms that connect people across the globe. This is especially true for multiplayer games like MLBB and Clash Of Clans, where teamwork and communication are crucial.
Firehawk (his gaming handle), a 63-year-old retiree, enjoys the global community aspect of these games. “Whether it is the 1-to-1 player battles or a team versus team war league, it brings into play strategy, teamwork, dexterity,” he says. “There is also that global community in the team, allowing us to pick up a smattering of other languages.”
Firehawk consciously manages his gaming time to ensure it doesn’t interfere with his daily interactions with friends and family. “Gaming helps keep me mentally sharp and nimble, and there’s a real sense of euphoria that comes with winning. Plus, it offers a unique way to socialise globally in a virtual space.”
As Malaysians tap, swipe, and strategise their way through virtual worlds, it’s clear that mobile gaming isn’t just a passing phase – it’s a full-fledged phenomenon.
Whether it’s a quick match at the mamak or a deep dive into a fantasy realm, mobile games have become the ultimate “touch and go” experience, blending entertainment with just the right amount of escapism.
So, if you haven’t yet joined the ranks of these digital explorers, what are you waiting for? Your next adventure is just a tap away – WiFi permitting, of course.
