LEVEL UP KL 2026 Day 1: Oct 14 Conference & Industry Highlights

LEVEL UP KL 2026 Day 1 opens on October 14 in Kuala Lumpur. It is the 12th edition of Southeast Asia’s top game developers conference.

Day one sets the tone for the whole event: Day 1 Pitch Day, the first conference talks, and the first big wave of business matching. Here is what to expect and why US studios should care.

What Is LEVEL UP KL 2026?

What is LEVEL UP KL? It is Southeast Asia’s premier annual game developers conference. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) runs it, and the official site says it is held in partnership with BES Production and endorsed by MATRADE.

The 2026 show runs 14–16 October at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre (CCEC) in Kuala Lumpur. MDEC lists these core programmes:

• Industry Conference
• Business Connection Programme
• Exhibition
• Pitch Day
• SEA Game Awards
• Masterclass Workshops

The event is growing. LEVEL UP KL 2025 drew over 2,500 participants from more than 20 countries, including the US and UK. It has also launched real hits. Passion Republic Games’ Gigabash was first shown at LEVEL UP KL and later reached a global release.

Big names back the show too. The 2025 sponsors included Epic Games, Larian Studios, Double Eleven, and Virtuos.

LEVEL UP KL 2026 Day 1: Oct 14 Conference Highlights

Day 1 is built around deals and discovery. Here is what is confirmed for October 14.

Pitch Day. The SEA Game Awards page says award participants get a chance to join LEVEL UP KL Day 1 Pitch Day on October 14. Think short pitches in front of publishers and investors.

Industry Conference. The organisers promise expert talks, keynotes, and panel discussions on trends and the future of gaming, with leaders from around the world.

Business Matching. This is the B2B side of the show. Developers meet publishers, investors, and service partners. The event is also listed on MeetToMatch, a games-industry matchmaking platform.

Talent Hub Career Lounge. Newer developers can get portfolio feedback and career advice from industry experts.

Workshops. EFXCO Academy is running a one-day Production-Ready VFX in Unreal Engine workshop with Hussin Khan, tied to the event.

Two things to know before you plan:

• The Expo runs October 15–16, and the SEA Game Awards Show is on October 15.
• Session-by-session times and speaker names were not published on the pages reviewed. Check the official agenda page before you book flights.

Industry Insights for US Developers and Publishers

The US is the world’s biggest paying market. In August 2026, the US made up 28.6% of global mobile game spending, ahead of China at 16.7% and Japan at 12.2% (PocketGamer.biz).

So why fly to Kuala Lumpur? For co-development, outsourcing, publishing deals, and fresh talent at lower cost.

The SEA Game Awards finalist list works like a free scouting report. It includes Homura Hime (Playism), Realm of Ink (Leap Studio), TCG Card Shop Simulator (OPNeon Games), Puni the Florist (Earthquack Games), and Sous Raccoon (Novice Flow). Awards run for the 9th year, since 2017.

You can sample these games from home. SteamDB lists the LEVEL UP KL 2026 Steam showcase from September 16 to October 17, with 72 products.

One rule matters for US studios. Entrants from outside Southeast Asia can only compete for Best International Game.

How US Attendees Can Join (Tickets and Time Zones)

Time zones. Kuala Lumpur is 12 hours ahead of US Eastern Time on October 14. A morning session in KL lands on the evening before for you. Pacific Time is 15 hours behind.

Tickets. Register on the official ticket page. The site shows conference, business, and exhibitor options. Prices were not listed on the pages reviewed, so confirm them there.

Travel tips:

• Book flights early, since many routes connect through hubs in Asia or the Gulf.
• Stay near Bangsar South, close to CCEC.
• Bring a pitch deck, a demo build, and business cards.

Exhibiting? The event is endorsed by MATRADE, and organisers say the endorsement unlocks MDG support for Malaysian exhibitors. Ask the organisers whether international exhibitors have similar options.

FAQs

What is LEVEL UP KL?

It is Southeast Asia’s premier annual game developers conference, organised by MDEC in Kuala Lumpur. It brings together developers, publishers, investors, and partners for talks, deals, exhibitions, and the SEA Game Awards.

What is the average salary for a game developer in Malaysia?

Sources differ. Glassdoor lists base pay of roughly MYR 3,000–4,000 a month for game developers in Kuala Lumpur, based on 36 salaries. Another estimate (WorldSalaries) puts the national average near MYR 5,918 a month (about MYR 71,020 a year). Plan on roughly MYR 3,000–6,000 a month for most roles. Senior roles pay more. Check a live exchange rate for the US dollar value.

Who are the top 10 mobile game developers?

By 2025 revenue, the top 10 publishers were Tencent, Scopely, Playrix, NetEase, Dream Games, King, Supercell, Cognosphere, Roblox, and FunFly (Udonis). Monthly ranks shift. In August 2026, Tencent led with $529.12 million, with Century Games second.

Who is No. 1 mobile game?

Honor of Kings by Tencent leads on revenue. It topped global mobile game spending in August 2026, while Roblox led downloads (PocketGamer.biz). Its 2025 revenue estimate varies by tracker: about $1.68 billion per AppMagic data, and close to $2.4 billion in another.

What game took 7 years to make?

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the best-known recent case. Team Cherry says its seven-year build was enjoyable and always moving forward . L.A. Noire is an older example. It also took about seven years to develop.

Who is No. 1 gaming?

It depends on the measure. By revenue, Tencent leads the publisher charts. It sat at the top for a seventh straight month in July 2026 Gaming on Phone. By platform, mobile has made up over 50% of global gaming revenue for two years running.

Conclusion

LEVEL UP KL 2026 day 1 is where deals start. Pitch Day, talks, and business matching all land on Day 1 October 14. Check the official agenda, register early, and plan around the 12-hour time gap.