‘Ayo Hargai’: A Small Step Toward a Journey of Growth
Today, August 8, 2024, while Jakarta is bustling, we in Bali are immersed in our daily routine—editing levels, fixing bugs, and sipping coffee that’s already gone cold. There’s nothing particularly special about our everyday lives. We’re just a group of developers who love what we do, striving to bring something to the small screens of our players. But who would have thought this simple dream could take us on a journey that helps us grow?
The ‘Ayo Hargai’ campaign invites everyone to appreciate and support local game creations. Through this process, 28 local games from 24 developers were curated. Of those, 10 games didn’t meet the criteria, while 18 others passed and moved on to further evaluation based on strict standards.
The selection criteria included several aspects: first, the game must be available for download on official digital distribution platforms. Second, the game must have been downloaded more than 50,000 times across all digital distribution platforms. Third, it must have an average rating of at least 3.5 stars across those platforms. Fourth, the game’s content must be rated by an international rating agency like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), or the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS). Fifth, the game must be the creation of a domestic development studio. Sixth, priority is given to those with a system operator registration (TDPSE), copyrights, and legal entity status. Lastly, selected games should showcase local culture and include educational content.
Based on these criteria, eight local games were chosen: Lokapala (Anantarupa Studios, Jakarta), Where Is My Cat? (SLAB, Bali), Marbel TK PAUD (Educa Studio, Salatiga), Selera Nusantara (Gambir Studio, Sleman), Dadoo (Algorocks, Malang), Epic Conquest (Gaco Games, Surakarta), Paw Rumble (Grinsmile Studio, Surabaya), and Warteg Gelora (Megaxus Infotech, Jakarta). These games will receive promotional support through various online and offline channels, including marketplaces, modern retail networks, digital distribution services, and information channels from ministries and relevant agencies.
However, the ‘Ayo Hargai’ campaign doesn’t stop there. You can support even more local games by visiting the special page on Steam, HARGAI2024, offering a variety of attractive discounts on a range of games. Discover fantastic local titles like Coffee Talk by Toge Productions, Potion Permit by Masshive Media, Coral Island by Stairway Games, My Lovely Wife by Game Changer, and many more.
When the ‘Ayo Hargai’ campaign was announced, we never imagined that our game, Where Is My Cat?, would be among those chosen. We weren’t seeking recognition like this. Our focus has always been on making a game people would enjoy, something that could make them smile or simply connect with the simple story we’re trying to tell.
The story behind Where Is My Cat? is simple, inspired by the small things in everyday life—things that often go unnoticed. We’ve always believed that beauty can be found in simplicity. There are no big explosions, no dramatic heroic actions, just a simple search that leads us back to what truly matters. Who would have thought the idea for this game came from our interactions with the cats in and around our homes? We’re just a small team, consistently doing what we love, which eventually opened unexpected doors.
At that press conference in Jakarta, as stakeholders began talking about the importance of strengthening the national gaming ecosystem, we realized that this wasn’t just about our game, but about a larger movement—a movement to support the local creative industry and give a platform to works that are often overlooked.
At SLAB, we’ve always believed that games can be more than just entertainment. Games can be a bridge connecting people, cultures, and stories. Through Where Is My Cat?, we want to invite our players to look deeper, to find beauty in simple things, and to remember that every story, no matter how small, holds meaning.
We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Being selected for the ‘Ayo Hargai’ campaign is an honor, but we also know that it comes with responsibility. The responsibility to keep creating, to continue supporting the local game industry, and to always remember our roots—that everything started with a simple dream pursued wholeheartedly.
Looking ahead, we hope to continue growing, not just as a game studio but as part of a larger community. We don’t know what lies ahead, but one thing is certain: we will continue creating with heart, hoping that our work, no matter how small, brings joy and meaning to those who play it. Thank you for supporting us, and let’s continue to appreciate and support Indonesian creations.
Denpasar, August 8, 2024