If you make games — or want to — Level Up KL is the single most important event on your calendar. Southeast Asia's premier game developer conference returns in 2026 with an expanded programme of speakers, workshops, indie game showcases, and networking opportunities that draw developers from across the region and internationally.
Whether you're a professional developer, a student studying game design, or just deeply curious about how your favourite games are made, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Level Up KL?
Level Up KL (LUKL) is a professional game development conference that has grown into the flagship event for the SEA games industry. Organised in partnership with MDEC and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, it's held annually in Kuala Lumpur and attracts:
- Game studio developers from major publishers and indie teams
- Publishers and investors looking to pick up SEA-made titles
- Educators and students from game design programmes across the region
- Press and content creators covering the games industry
Unlike consumer-facing gaming events (AFA, Comic Fiesta), LUKL is primarily industry-facing. But it's increasingly opened its programming to the public — especially the indie showcase and select keynote sessions.
Level Up KL 2026 — Key Details
| | | |---|---| | Expected Dates | Q2–Q3 2026 (May–July, based on historical scheduling) | | Venue | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) or MITEC | | Industry Passes | RM200–500 (full conference access) | | Public Access | Indie Showcase and select keynotes are often free or low-cost | | Official Channel | levelupkl.com | @LevelUpKL on social media |
Follow the official channels for exact dates and ticket sales — they typically announce 8-10 weeks before the event.
Programme Highlights
1. Keynote Speakers
LUKL keynotes have historically featured senior professionals from:
- Major publishers: Electronic Arts, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Square Enix
- Platform holders: PlayStation Asia, Xbox Asia, Nintendo SEA
- SEA success stories: Garena, One Championship's gaming division, Malaysian studios like Passion Republic and Storm8
- International game design luminaries: Past speakers have included Triple-I developers, narrative designers from Bioware and Naughty Dog, and engine architects from Unreal/Unity
The keynote stage is the highest-signal part of LUKL. Even if you're attending as a public attendee, the keynotes reveal where the industry is heading — market trends, technology shifts, and business model changes that affect every player in the ecosystem.
Pro tip: Keynotes are sometimes livestreamed. Check the LUKL website closer to the event.
2. Developer Talks and Panels
The conference runs a full track programme across multiple rooms simultaneously, covering:
Technical Tracks:
- Engine programming (Unreal Engine 5, Unity 6, Godot 4)
- Graphics and shader development
- Network architecture for multiplayer games
- Mobile optimisation for low-end Android devices (critical for SEA market)
- AI/ML integration in game development
Business and Publishing Tracks:
- Getting your indie game funded in SEA
- Working with Chinese publishers and distribution
- Live service monetisation that doesn't alienate players
- Platform certification processes (iOS, Android, Steam, console)
- Marketing strategy for SEA mobile markets
Design Tracks:
- Narrative design for diverse cultural audiences
- UX/UI for mobile games at scale
- Balancing competitive multiplayer games
- Game accessibility — designing for SEA's diverse hardware landscape
For students and aspiring developers: The business and design tracks are the most practical. Bring a notebook. Speakers share insights from real projects including mistakes they made — this is the highest-quality free education you'll find for game development in Malaysia.
3. The Indie Showcase
The heart of LUKL for both industry attendees and the public. Malaysia has a quietly thriving indie game development scene, and the Indie Showcase is where you see it all:
- Playable demos on PC, mobile, and sometimes console
- One-on-one time with the developers who made each game
- Industry judges scoring and providing feedback to developers
- Awards including cash prizes and publisher introductions
Past showcase highlights have included Malaysian-made titles that went on to Steam release, App Store featuring, and regional publisher deals. The quality has increased significantly year over year.
For players: Think of it like a mini PAX Indie section. You get to play games before they're out, give feedback that actually influences development, and discover your next favourite game before anyone else knows about it.
For developers: The showcase is high-visibility. Publishers, press, and platform representatives walk this floor specifically looking for titles to sign. Having a demo ready for LUKL is a genuine industry milestone.
4. Networking Opportunities
LUKL is designed for networking and it shows:
Speed Networking Sessions: Structured 5-minute one-on-one meetings with a rotating roster of publishers, investors, and senior developers. Register early — slots fill fast.
Mentorship Meet-Ups: Senior developers offering 20-30 minute informal mentorship sessions to students and junior developers. These are genuine career-changing conversations.
After-Hours Events: Official LUKL evening events (dinners, receptions) are where informal deals get done. Some are included in full conference passes; others are invite-only through studio relationships.
The Hallway Track: Don't underestimate walking between sessions. LUKL's concentrated density of industry professionals means the person next to you at lunch might be a hiring manager at your dream studio.
Badges matter: Your conference badge shows your name and company/studio. Keep it visible. People read badges and approach people from interesting studios or schools.
Who Should Attend
You're a professional game developer
LUKL is must-attend. The combination of speaker quality, networking density, and industry intelligence in three days would take months to replicate through individual outreach. Book it.
You're a student studying game design
The conference is the best investment you'll make in your education. A single conversation with a hiring manager can shortcut years of cold applications. Many studios specifically recruit at LUKL. Student passes are typically discounted — check the website.
You're thinking about starting a game studio
The business tracks and speed networking were built for you. The amount of actionable intelligence about funding, publishing, and market strategy in two days is extraordinary.
You're a gamer curious about game development
The Indie Showcase and some keynotes are accessible to the public. You'll get to play upcoming games, talk to Malaysian developers, and understand what goes into making the games you love. Worth a day visit even as a consumer.
Getting the Most Out of LUKL
Before the Event
- Study the schedule: Download the programme when it goes live and prioritise talks by marking your must-attends. Conflicts between sessions are common.
- Update LinkedIn and your portfolio: You will be networking. Have something to point people to.
- Set specific goals: "Meet three people from mobile game publishers" or "find one artist collaborator" is more actionable than "network."
- Research speakers: Knowing the background of the people on stage makes Q&A more productive.
During the Event
- Sit at the front for talks you care about: Questions from the front row get taken more seriously and it's easier to approach speakers after.
- Take photos of speaker slides: Often filled with data and frameworks that aren't publicly shared elsewhere.
- Exchange contacts deliberately: Business cards are largely dead — LinkedIn QR codes or shared Instagram handles are standard. Have something ready.
- Eat meals strategically: The conference restaurant areas are high-networking zones. Sit with people you don't know.
After the Event
- Follow up within 48 hours: "Great to meet you at LUKL" emails get responses. Waiting two weeks, they won't remember who you are.
- Share your takeaways: Write a post about what you learned. It builds your professional visibility and synthesises your own learning.
For the Public: Free and Low-Cost Access
If you can't afford a full conference pass:
- Keynote livestream: Often available free on LUKL's YouTube channel
- Indie Showcase floor: Historically open to the public for free or a small fee (RM10–20)
- Select public panels: LUKL has been expanding public programming; check the website for free-to-attend sessions
The MDEC website also publishes post-event content: recorded talks, speaker decks, and industry reports. If you miss the live event, a significant portion of the content becomes available weeks after.
Stay Updated
- Website: levelupkl.com
- LinkedIn: Level Up KL (most active for professional announcements)
- Instagram: @LevelUpKL
- Twitter/X: @LevelUpKL
- Facebook: Level Up KL Conference
For aspiring Malaysian game developers, LUKL is where your career inflection points happen. Show up prepared and the event will show up for you.