Think gaming is just mindless fun or a lazy person’s hobby? Think again.
Malaysia currently ranks 19th in the world for gaming and esports, and our homegrown gamers have collectively earned over USD 22 million from 1,450 tournaments[1].
Yes, you read that right. That’s not pocket change – it’s a thriving industry. Yet, despite these achievements, gaming often still gets a bad rap.
Gaming = Bad? Time To Hit Reset
For many, especially the older generation, gaming still carries a heavy stigma. When kids pick up a console or hop into an online match, it’s often met with eye-rolls or worried glances.
“It’s a distraction,” they say. “You’ll never make anything of it.” The image of the ‘antisocial, hoodie-wearing gamer’ still lingers, reinforced by media, pop culture, and countless family arguments over screen time.
But let’s be honest – how accurate is that picture today?
Gaming isn’t just for boys, it’s not just about violence, and it’s certainly not just a waste of time. The community is broader and more vibrant than ever – crossing gender lines, connecting strangers into meaningful friendships, and even becoming a platform for advocacy, education, and social change.
Malaysian gamers are no longer just playing – they’re building communities, careers and movements.
Meet The Gamer Gals Who Are Breaking The Mold
They’re not just logging in to play, they’re logging in to lead, inspire, and disrupt the status quo. These Malaysian women are boldly stepping into spaces long dominated by men, proving that gaming isn’t just for the guys or the pros.
With skill, strategy, and a strong sense of community, they’re redefining what it means to be a gamer, and they’re doing it on their own terms.
So, who are these digital trailblazers flipping the script behind the screen? Let’s meet a few of them.
#1: Nurul Nadiah – Building community and breaking the boys club
Nurul Nadiah Mohamed, 24, better known as Nad, has been immersed in gaming since she was about seven years old, growing up with classics like Tank, Warblade, Pizza Frenzy, and Fish Frenzy.
At around 10, she discovered PewDiePie and Marzia on YouTube. Watching their videos and witnessing PewDiePie’s rise in the gaming scene sparked her curiosity about streaming and the broader gaming world.
During middle school, Nad struggled to connect with people, but gaming became her outlet, making it easier to bond with others who shared her interests. In 2014, at just 13, she was introduced to the esports scene when Clash of Clans was at its peak, followed by Mobile Legends and PUBG in the years after. Competitive gaming quickly drew her in, and her passion only grew from there.
Today, Nad is more than just a gamer – she’s a streamer, actively building her own community while quietly challenging the stereotype that gaming is only for boys.
Some male players disagree that females should also be able to game, especially in PVP games. This is because they believe that females are a ‘weak’ and ‘noob’ creatures in the gaming community. Most of the time, I would handle the situation by either speaking up or proving them wrong about my skills. – Nad
Despite the challenges, Nad established herself in the gaming community, not just as a player but also as a streamer who creates a welcoming space for others.
To her, gaming is more than just competition, as it builds valuable life skills. Games like Valorant, PUBG, and Mobile Legends have strengthened her teamwork, strategy, and communication, improving her ability to think quickly and work with others.
Playing as a Sentinel in Valorant has especially taught her patience and problem-solving, as she must defend her team, analyse opponents’ strategies, and make quick decisions – skills that have also helped her in real life.
Beyond gaming skills, Nad has also formed deep and unexpected friendships. One of her most memorable experiences was meeting a mute child through VR Chat, a game similar to Ready Player One.
Although he couldn’t speak, he communicated by writing in the game, and their friendship grew from there. Seeing his joy while playing and interacting with her reminded Nad that kindness and connection can exist anywhere, even in a virtual world.
For Nad, gaming is also a powerful tool for education and advocacy, and she admires games like Virago: Her Story, which tackle serious topics such as sexual harassment and abuse, helping players, especially younger ones, understand real-world issues by showing the challenges women face in everyday life.
She also appreciates how gaming can be used for charity, with some developers selling special in-game items to raise funds for NGOs. Valorant, for example, has created banners and skins to honour key players and developers, reinforcing the importance of representation in the gaming world.
It’s not just about competition…it’s about making sure people feel seen and appreciated. Gaming should be for everyone, and I love that some companies are taking steps to show that. – Nad
Through gaming, Nad has found more than just entertainment. She’s built friendships, honed her skills, and become part of a movement making gaming a more inclusive space. For her, every match, every stream, and every interaction is a step towards proving that gaming isn’t just for the boys – it’s for everyone.
#2: Najwa A’lia – Making some earnings through gaming
Najwa A’lia, 24, better known online as Eligos, is a Malaysian TikTok streamer, esports enthusiast, and faceless VTuber. Gaming has been a part of her life since childhood, starting with games on her parents’ PC, a passion that never faded.
Her competitive nature drew her to esports, captivated by the thrill of tournaments like CS:GO and League of Legends, even though she wasn’t a player herself. Eventually, she found her place in Valorant, something she never expected, let alone as part of a team.
Streaming, however, was never part of her plan.
I used to watch streamers like Shroud and PewDiePie, but I never considered streaming myself. It was actually my friends’ idea. They said I had the voice, the constant chatter, and I’m pretty good at Valorant too. – Eligos
Challenging the belief that gaming only burns cash, Eligos once kept her earnings a secret from her mother, knowing how difficult it would be to convince the older generation that gaming could be profitable.
Ironically, it was her mother who brought it up first after a coworker mentioned that people make money on TikTok. When she finally asked Eligos if she was earning anything, the truth came out, and her perspective shifted.
As it turns out, despite not being a full-time streamer, Eligos has managed to earn over RM300 in total. She tries her best to stream every day as she continues to grow as both a gamer and a streamer. Her shortest stream lasted an hour, while her longest went up to 11 hours.
The best way to break this misconception is by proving it. You say you can earn from streaming? Prove it. You want to go pro? Prove it. People think these careers are easy, but like any job, you won’t make it to the top without serious effort. – Eligos
Despite the competitive nature of esports, Eligos believes that teamwork is just as important as individual skill. She pointed out that games like League of Legends, Valorant, and CS:GO rely heavily on collaboration. She finds the best moments to be late-night gaming sessions with friends, whether she has met them in real life or not, simply enjoying each other’s company and having fun.
Every match forces you to play with strangers, but the goal is the same – to win. You have to put aside your differences, unite, give your best, and help each other out in order to succeed. – Eligos
Beyond competitive gaming, Eligos highlighted the impact of story-driven games like The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, and God of War (2018). These games offer more than entertainment, weaving deep narratives, puzzles, and meaningful life lessons. She recalled a powerful quote from God of War: Don’t be sorry. Be better.
Though the game never explicitly states its lessons, Eligos admitted that lines like these leave a lasting impression, encouraging self-improvement and resilience.
Having joined Valorant charity tournaments, she knows how easy it is also easy to rally gamers for a cause. Whether through fundraising or selling game merchandise, she believes the community will always support initiatives tied to what they love.
#3: Nur ‘Ainaa Fadhilah – Fostering meaningful friendships
Ainaa, 25, better known as Bella, started gaming casually in primary school with PUBG and Mobile Legends, but her interest deepened during the COVID-19 lockdown. Like many others stuck at home during the PKP period, she craved social interaction. Gaming became her escape, allowing her to connect with others through Discord while playing Valorant.
Without a proper gaming setup at home, Bella often played Valorant on her friend’s PC. It became a weekend routine, hanging out at her friend’s house just to play. Even now, she continues gaming on her laptop, though she admits that not having her own PC has limited her potential.
Some games require higher specs, and playing on a laptop can be a struggle. Despite this, her love for gaming keeps her going, and she draws inspiration from professional players and streamers on YouTube and TikTok.
When I watch pro players, I see how sharp and focused they are…it’s like they’re going into a real battle. Watching them makes me want to train harder and improve my skills because I know I can do better. – Bella
The sense of achievement that comes with ranking up and winning intense matches fuels her passion even more. In Valorant, each game has 13 rounds, and for Bella, getting five kills in a single match brings a whole new level of satisfaction. It’s not just about winning but about seeing her improvement with each game.
Beyond just playing, gaming has also opened new opportunities for Bella. She once streamed on TikTok, earning over RM100, which she used to buy Valorant skins.
I don’t just play for fun. I used to stream every day after my degree, spending at least one to three hours on it. At one point, I was gaming for up to five hours a day. The fact that I could even make money from something I love was an added bonus. – Bella
More than just competition, gaming has given Bella a sense of camaraderie, as multiplayer games rely on teamwork and support. She appreciates how experienced players often guide newcomers, creating a positive and welcoming environment.
She has also built meaningful friendships that extend into real life. Through Discord, in-game chats, and meetups, these connections have become an important part of her life. Gaming has introduced her to people from different backgrounds and age groups, allowing them to bond over more than just matches as they share conversations about life, work, and personal experiences.
One of her closest friendships formed during PKP when she met Nad, another player who also studied at UiTM. Bella, who pursued Instructional Communication and Training, and Nad, who studied English at the Academy of Language Studies (APB), spent so much time gaming together that when they finally met in person, it felt like they had known each other forever.
Recognising the impact gaming has had on her life, Bella believes companies and corporations should invest more in the gaming community.
Funding remains a major challenge, and financial support could help organise events, from tournaments to charity initiatives and community gatherings. She sees these events as more than just competitions, as they bring people together, create opportunities, and highlight that gaming is more than just a hobby.
And not to forget, one significant incident in 2023 proved just how powerful gaming can be as a tool for social advocacy.
As reported by Sinar Daily, thousands of Malaysians, many of them teenagers, staged pro-Palestine protests on Roblox during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The virtual protest drew participants from across Southeast Asia and even made headlines globally, showing that gaming spaces can amplify voices and spark awareness for critical causes[2].
Championing Malaysia’s Esports Future
According to the Malaysian Reserve, the esports scene in Malaysia has been getting strong support from the government. Back in Budget 2019, RM10 million was allocated specifically for the development of esports, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to dedicate an annual budget to the industry.
With over 14 million gamers nationwide, Malaysia has solid potential to become a leader in esports within the region. The country’s growing number of players, events, and consistent backing from the government all contribute to this progress.
The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) has also taken active steps by engaging with the gaming community to create development plans for athletes, promote a fair and inclusive ecosystem, and elevate the local esports scene. Through discussions with regional stakeholders, they’ve gained better insights into trends among ASEAN youth and the potential for Malaysia to drive the industry’s growth.
With strong infrastructure, support from both the government and gaming community, and a robust digital market, Malaysia is well on its way to becoming the esports hub of Southeast Asia[3].
Written by Noor Ainun Jariah Noor Harun
