Revisiting Creative Industry Models for Game Industry Development in Southeast Asia

Prof. Peichi CHUNG
Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

This paper examines the creative industry model that can be for the video game industry development in Southeast Asia. Literature in creative industry development emphasizes on a nation-based approach to model the core industries for a nation. This paper looks into an alternative model that addresses regional cultural development in the countries of Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The paper has an intention to use Southeast Asian game development to address one of the newest forms of globalization in Asia. Two models are reviewed in the creative industry literature. One is Terry Flew’s international creative industry models. The other is David Throsby’s concentric circle model. The paper then discusses recent change and challenge in Southeast Asia in video game industry and market. An analysis of the global-local relationship in six Southeast Asian countries is followed to demonstrate the particular industry connections among major players. The paper illustrates an integrated relationship at the level of outsourcing among global capitals, local game companies and game development labor. Based upon fieldwork observation, the paper presents a case on Southeast Asia’s regional transformation from a previously invisible position as the global periphery toward the center of globalization in global video game development. The paper lastly concludes with the discussion on an alternative talent-based model and its possible policy outcome to a country’s economy in Southeast Asian game development.