18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game is an official video game released to enliven the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. The game was developed by Anantarupa Studios in cooperation with the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) as part of a digital marketing campaign and an effort to involve the public in the experience of that major multi-sport event. The presence of this mobile game allowed sports fans and gamers to feel the sensation of being an athlete competing in various sports contested at the Asian Games.
History and Development
The existence of 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game cannot be separated from the role of INASGOC as the organizing committee that wanted to use digital technology to expand the public's reach and participation in the 2018 Asian Games. In addition to official information applications such as the 18th Asian Games 2018 Official App and the AG Pay 2018 payment system, INASGOC partnered with local game developer Anantarupa Studios to create a sports-themed game. This step was an innovative initiative in line with the spirit of "Energy of Asia" and Indonesia's effort to present a modern and interactive Asian Games experience. The application became one of a lineup of applications launched to support and enliven Asia's largest sports festival.
Gameplay and Features
18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game was designed to provide an immersive competition experience. There are several main features offered by this game:
Team Formation: Before starting the game, users are required to form a team representing one of the countries participating in the 2018 Asian Games. This feature adds an element of identity and national pride to play.
Sports: The game provides a number of sports that can be played. Some of the available sports include archery, badminton, pencak silat, and football. The presence of pencak silat as one of the sports that can be played shows an effort to promote Indonesia's traditional sport to a wider audience.
Avatar Customization: One of the main attractions of this game is the avatar customization feature. Users can create and modify their athlete avatars with various combinations of equipment and items, reported to reach more than 100 combinations.
Game Modes: To add variety, the game is equipped with a practice mode and a competition mode. In competition mode, users can compete with other players online, adding challenge and appeal for those who enjoy a competitive element. The main goal in every match is to become the winner in order to collect points.
Release and Availability
The game was released in August 2018, coinciding with the start of the 2018 Asian Games. 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game was available to download for free through the Google Play Store for Android devices. Based on reports at the time of its release, the game's installation file size was around 77 MB to 159 MB, depending on the source of information. Its presence on a major application distribution platform made it easy for the wider public, especially mobile device users, to access and enjoy the game.
Connection with the Electronic Sports (E-Sports) Phenomenon
Although 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game is an official game aimed at simulating physical sports, its release cannot be separated from the larger context in which the 2018 Asian Games became the first stage for electronic sports (esports) as a demonstration sport. For the first time in history, esports was contested at the Asian Games, with six game titles competed, such as Arena of Valor, Clash Royale, and League of Legends. Indonesia itself succeeded in winning a gold medal in the esports demonstration event for the game Clash Royale through athlete Ridel Yesaya Sumarandak. The presence of 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game amid the rising attention to esports shows how digital technology and games became an inseparable part of the modern Asian Games experience, both as a means of entertainment and as a recognized arena of competition.
Impact and Reception
As part of the effort to digitize the 2018 Asian Games, 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game became one of the ways for the committee to attract the interest of the younger generation and the general public so that they would be more involved with that major event. The application became a complement to other official applications focused on information and transactions. Although there is no detailed reception data, the launch of this game showed INASGOC's progressive step in using digital platforms to create a more comprehensive and entertaining Asian Games ecosystem for all layers of society, in line with the goal of holding a sports festival that is efficient and practical.
18th Asian Games 2018 Official Game was a creative initiative by INASGOC and Anantarupa Studios to enliven the 2018 Asian Games through the medium of a mobile game. With features that allow users to form teams, compete in various sports, and customize avatars, the game succeeded in bringing the competitive spirit of the Asian Games into users' hands. Its presence was not only an entertainment tool, but also part of a digital marketing strategy and evidence of technological adaptation in the organization of a large-scale sports event in Indonesia. At the same time, the esports phenomenon that also colored the 2018 Asian Games affirmed the position of games as an important part of modern sports culture and industry.
References
Deretan Aplikasi Semarakan Asian Games 2018, detikInet
5 Aplikasi Ini Bikin Asian Games 2018 Makin Seru, Liputan6.com
7 Aplikasi Smartphone untuk Ramaikan Asian Games 2018, Kumparan.com
Deretan Aplikasi yang Turut Memeriahkan Asian Games 2018, HiTekno.com
About the Games – 18th Asian Games, Hong Kong Olympic Committee
Chinese video game shines as eSports make Asian Games debut, Ecns.cn
Mengenal 18th Asian Games 2018 Official Mobile Game, GAMEROOM.