LEVEL UP KL 2026 Returns to Connect SEA Game Devs
LEVEL UP KL 2026 is returning to Kuala Lumpur from 14 to 16 October, bringing developers, publishers, investors, technology companies, and other industry players together under one roof. This year’s edition once again focuses on business connections, industry knowledge, talent, and opportunities for studios across the region.
The event will take place at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre in Kuala Lumpur. MDEC, in partnership with BES Production, organises LEVEL UP KL 2026, which is endorsed by MATRADE. That combination gives the conference a strong business-development angle alongside its traditional developer and community focus.
What Is LEVEL UP KL 2026?
LEVEL UP KL is an annual game developers conference that connects Southeast Asia’s games industry with regional and international partners. The event brings together developers, publishers, investors, service providers, technology companies, students, and other professionals involved in making and supporting games. MDEC positions it as a platform for learning, networking, technical discussions, and new business opportunities.
The 2026 programme continues that formula with an Industry Conference, Business Connection Programme, pitching sessions, exhibitions, workshops, and the SEA Game Awards. Other activities include Xsolla Connect, Games for Change, a Game UX Summit and Masterclass, and a PlayStation-focused programme.
LEVEL UP KL 2026 at a Glance
FeatureDetailsEventLEVEL UP KL 2026Dates14 to 16 October 2026VenueConnexion Conference & Event CentreOrganiserMDECPartnerBES ProductionEndorsed byMATRADEMain focusGame development and business networkingAwardsSEA Game Awards 2026
The three-day format gives attendees several ways to participate depending on what they need. Some may come for technical talks, while others will focus almost entirely on meetings and publishing opportunities. Students and younger developers also get career-oriented sessions through the Talent Hub.
Business Connections Remain a Major Focus
One of LEVEL UP KL’s most practical components is the Business Connection Programme. It gives eligible attendees access to a structured matchmaking system where they can discover other participants, request meetings, and schedule discussions before meeting face-to-face during the event. Developers can use those meetings to speak directly with publishers, investors, service providers, brands, and other potential partners.
That is particularly important for smaller Southeast Asian studios. Without an introduction, getting a game in front of the right publisher or investor can be difficult. A structured meeting system reduces that friction.
It also turns the conference into more than a place to exchange business cards. Attendees can plan meetings around specific needs, whether that means funding, co-development, distribution, localisation, or technology. That makes the event more useful for teams attending with clear business goals.
Malaysian Studios Get Direct Access to Regional Partners
Malaysia already has a growing game development ecosystem, but regional connections remain important. Many studios work on global projects, outsourced development, co-development, art production, and original intellectual property. LEVEL UP KL creates a concentrated environment where those companies can meet partners from across Southeast Asia and beyond.
That can be particularly useful for smaller Malaysian developers trying to move beyond contract work. Building original games requires publishing support, marketing expertise, and capital. A conference cannot guarantee any of those things, but it can make the first conversation easier.
International companies also benefit from meeting several regional studios in one trip. That gives Malaysia an opportunity to position Kuala Lumpur as a gateway into Southeast Asia’s games industry. The event therefore has value beyond individual studios.
Pitching Gives Indie Studios a Shot at Publishers
LEVEL UP KL continues to include pitching in its programme. Pitch Day has historically focused on indie studios presenting unpublished games to global publishers and investors. Developers can use those sessions to receive feedback and explore potential funding or publishing opportunities.
That can be one of the most important moments for an early-stage studio. A good prototype may still struggle without funding, distribution, or marketing. Getting it in front of decision-makers can therefore change a project’s trajectory.
The challenge is preparation. Developers need more than an attractive trailer. They also need a clear milestone plan, a playable build, a business case, and a realistic understanding of what they are asking for.
The Industry Conference Covers More Than Game Design
LEVEL UP KL 2026 also has a substantial conference programme spread across 15 and 16 October. Sessions cover market trends, production, technology, art, business strategy, and the changing structure of the global games industry.
One keynote is titled “An Era Of Change For The Video Games Industry,” featuring Julien Merceron of Bandai Namco Studios and Delphi Interactive. Another session looks at video game market trends in Southeast Asia and beyond in 2026, presented by Niko Partners research director Darang Chandra.
That mix gives developers both technical and commercial context. Making a good game is only part of the challenge. Studios also need to understand where audiences are growing, how platforms are changing, and where publishers are investing.
Technical Skills Still Get Attention
LEVEL UP KL is not only about business deals. Technical training and production knowledge remain part of the wider event ecosystem. For example, a dedicated Unreal Engine VFX workshop is being held in conjunction with the conference on 13 October.
The workshop covers Niagara workflows, materials, cinematic integration, optimisation, and production-ready effects. This kind of practical training can be especially useful for developers looking to improve their real-time production skills. It also reflects how game development increasingly overlaps with film, AR, VR, and digital-twin workflows.
For Malaysian developers, access to this kind of training locally reduces the need to travel overseas for specialist workshops. That becomes increasingly important as production standards rise. Regional talent needs opportunities to keep pace with larger international studios.
PlayStation Is Part of the 2026 Programme
LEVEL UP KL 2026 also includes a “Growing Together with PlayStation” session. PlayStation representatives are expected to discuss how developers can start working with the platform and what studios should know to bring games to PlayStation.
That kind of direct platform access can be valuable for smaller studios. Console development introduces certification, technical, publishing, and business requirements that may be unfamiliar to teams coming from PC or mobile. Being able to ask platform representatives directly can remove some uncertainty.
Malaysia has already attracted significant international game development activity. Connecting local studios with major platform holders can help more teams move from regional development to global distribution.
SEA Game Awards Return for a Ninth Year
The SEA Game Awards are also returning as part of LEVEL UP KL 2026. MDEC says the awards are in their ninth year since their introduction in 2017. The programme recognises creativity, technical excellence, and innovation among game developers across Southeast Asia.
Finalists receive exhibition space at the LEVEL UP KL Expo and access to the event. They can also gain exposure through Pitch Day and the broader conference audience. Winners will be announced during the SEA Game Awards Show on 15 October.
The awards cover technology, visual art, game design, audio, storytelling, and student development. The awards also include an international category for eligible games from outside Southeast Asia. This keeps the awards regionally focused while still connecting with the wider industry.
Malaysian Games Get a Bigger Stage
For Malaysian studios, the SEA Game Awards provide more than trophies. Finalists can showcase their projects in front of publishers, investors, media, and other developers. That exposure can be particularly valuable for games that might otherwise struggle to attract international attention.
LEVEL UP KL lists several Malaysian studios among the 2026 finalists. That includes projects from companies such as Twilight Foundry, Bumi Studio, and SapphiArt.
This visibility matters because Southeast Asian games often compete with much larger marketing budgets elsewhere. A regional showcase can help audiences and publishers discover projects before they become widely known. That makes awards part of the business ecosystem, not just a celebration.
Steam Gives the Awards a Wider Audience
LEVEL UP KL 2026 is also pushing the SEA Game Awards onto Steam through a dedicated showcase. That gives participating games visibility beyond those who attend the event in person. This approach can expose regional titles to players worldwide.
This matters because industry recognition only goes so far if players never see the games. Steam gives developers a direct connection to a global PC audience. Wishlists and discovery can sometimes be more valuable than traditional publicity.
Combining a physical expo with a digital storefront makes sense. Developers can meet partners in Kuala Lumpur while also reaching players online. That extends the event’s value beyond three days.
Talent Development Is Another Priority
LEVEL UP KL 2026 also includes a Talent Hub Career Lounge for people trying to enter or advance in the games industry. The programme focuses on portfolio development, career guidance, and direct interaction with professionals.
This can help students who know they want to work in games but aren’t sure where they fit. Studios need programmers, artists, animators, designers, producers, audio specialists, writers, QA staff, and many other roles. Career sessions can help people understand what those jobs actually involve.
Malaysia needs that talent pipeline if the local industry is going to keep growing. New studios cannot scale without skilled workers. Large international companies expanding locally need them too.
International Studios Are Looking at Malaysian Talent
International companies are also using LEVEL UP KL to connect with local developers. Side, for example, says representatives will attend the 2026 conference as it expands its co-development, player-support, and audio capabilities in Malaysia.
That shows why an event like LEVEL UP KL matters beyond independent game development. The regional industry also includes outsourcing, co-development, support, audio, localisation, and production services. Those areas can create significant employment opportunities.
Malaysian talent therefore doesn’t necessarily need to start an original game studio to participate in the industry. Many routes lead to professional game development. Conferences help make those paths more visible.
Malaysia Wants a Bigger Share of the Games Economy
MDEC has been supporting Malaysia’s digital content sector through grants, industry programmes, and events such as LEVEL UP KL. The organisation also runs initiatives aimed at creative content, game development, and regional recognition.
Malaysia’s 2026 Budget also included RM20 million for the local animation and digital games sector. MDEC framed that allocation as part of an effort to capture a larger share of the global creative economy.
Events alone cannot create a successful games industry. However, they can connect funding, talent, publishers, investors, and developers. Those connections become more valuable when paired with wider policy and financing support.
Publishers Can Scout New Southeast Asian Games
Publishers attending LEVEL UP KL get access to a growing pipeline of regional projects. Pitching sessions, the expo, and the SEA Game Awards all make it easier to discover new studios. That creates opportunities for deals that might otherwise never happen.
Southeast Asian developers can bring different cultural influences and storytelling ideas to global games. Those differences can help projects stand out in an increasingly crowded market. Publishers looking for something less familiar may therefore find the region increasingly interesting.
The challenge for developers is turning originality into a commercially viable project. Publishers still care about production capability, market fit, budgets, and schedules. LEVEL UP KL gives both sides a direct place to discuss those realities.
Service Providers Also Play an Important Role
Not every company at LEVEL UP KL makes games directly. Service providers covering localisation, audio, testing, art, technology, and other areas also participate. These companies form an important part of the wider production ecosystem.
A small studio rarely has every skill internally. External specialists can help finish a project without dramatically increasing permanent headcount. Larger studios also outsource significant portions of production.
That makes service-company networking valuable. A Malaysian studio may find a regional partner that can solve a specific production problem. At the same time, Malaysian service providers can pitch their own capabilities internationally.
LEVEL UP KL Is More Industry Event Than Consumer Expo
Gamers interested in the business and development side of the industry may find LEVEL UP KL interesting, but this is primarily an industry event. The programme focuses on developers, publishers, investors, technical professionals, students, and companies.
That separates it from consumer-focused gaming shows built mainly around product launches and playable demos. Games are still showcased, but the conversations surrounding them go deeper into development and business. The event is about how games get made and how studios survive.
For aspiring developers, that distinction is valuable. You get exposure to the realities behind the finished products. Publishing, funding, recruitment, production, and technology all come into the picture.
